Kenyan President to Champion East African Community Summit in Tanzania

President William Ruto will travel to Arusha, Tanzania today to participate in the 24th Ordinary Summit of East African Heads of State.

This diplomatic gathering focuses on regional collaboration and strategic development. The summit, marking the East African Community's (EAC) 25th anniversary, will address crucial regional challenges, with a strategic agenda spanning economic integration, climate resilience, and comprehensive security cooperation. Recent economic indicators from the EAC Trade and Investment report reveal promising regional economic trends. In 2023, the region witnessed a 5.1 per cent overall trade growth, with intra-EAC trade surging by 13.1 per cent to reach USD 12.1 billion.

“President Ruto will advocate for the removal of trade barriers, the boosting of cross-border commerce, and the enhancement of partnerships in energy, agriculture, and digital innovation to create jobs and improve livelihoods,” the State House spokesperson says.

The total regional trade volume expanded significantly from USD 65 billion to USD 109 billion due to increasing economic interconnectedness. President Ruto is expected to advocate for important policy reforms, with a particular emphasis on eliminating trade barriers, facilitating cross-border commercial activities, and promoting partnerships in strategic sectors including energy, agriculture, and digital innovation. The overarching goal is to generate employment opportunities and enhance regional economic prosperity.

Security will be a central focus of the summit's deliberations. Specific initiatives under scrutiny include the South Sudanese Tumaini Initiative and the EAC-led Nairobi Process for restoring peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya has demonstrated active engagement in these diplomatic efforts, positioning itself as a constructive mediator in regional stability. Beyond formal proceedings, the summit will provide a platform for bilateral discussions among regional leaders, enabling diplomatic exchanges and strategic alignment.

The 25th-anniversary commemoration offers an opportunity to reflect on institutional milestones and potential future political federation. Speaking during the 9th annual African Special Economic Zones meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, the president said that the Arusha engagement will also concentrate on enhancing the business environment of the bloc. He mentioned that one of the goals they will be considering is how to improve the business environment, further integrate their economies, and approve the item of Special Economic Zones that was previously agreed upon by the ministers.