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Overview of EAC

EAC Map 8 Partner States

Vision

The vision of EAC is to be a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa.
 

Our Mission

The mission of the Community is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.
 

Our Values

Underpinning the EAC is our commitment to our values:
  • Professionalism
  • Accountability
  • Transparency
  • Teamwork
  • Unity in Diversity
  • Allegiance to EAC Ideals

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC is home to an estimated 331.1 million citizens, of which over 30% is urban population. With a land area of 5.4 million square kilometres and a combined Gross Domestic Product of USD 357 million, its realisation bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects for the renewed and reinvigorated EAC.

The work of the EAC is guided by its Treaty, which established the Community. It was signed on 30th November, 1999 and entered into force on 7th July, 2000 following its ratification by the original three (3) Partner States - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18th June, 2007 and became full Members of the Community with effect from 1st July, 2007. The Republic of South Sudan acceded to the Treaty on 15th April, 2016 and become a full Member on 15th August, 2016, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo acceded to the EAC Treaty on 8th April, 2022 and became a full member on 11th July, 2022. The Federal Republic of Somalia acceded to the EAC Treaty on 15th December, 2023, and bacame a full member on 4th March, 2024.

As one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs in the world, the EAC is widening and deepening co-operation among the Partner States in various key spheres includind political, economic and social for their mutual benefit. 

At the moment, the regional integration process is in full swing as reflected by the encouraging progress of the East African Customs Union, the establishment of the East African Common Market in 2010, ongoing the implementation of the East African Monetary Union Protocol and ongoing intiatives to lay the foundation for a Political Federation. 

Current status

The process towards an East African Federation is being fast tracked, underscoring the serious determination of the East African leadership and citizens to construct a powerful and sustainable East African economic and political bloc. In May 2017, the EAC Heads of State adopted the Political Confederation as a transitional model of the East African Political Federation.