Throughout his career, Mr Farah has built experience in regional integration, public–private dialogue, donor relations and resource mobilisation, overseeing partnerships aimed at improving trade and investment outcomes.
Arusha. The Board of the East African Business Council (EABC) has appointed Mr Ahmed Farah as the new substantive Executive Director following a competitive recruitment process.
A statement from the board, which was made available this week, describes Mr Farah as a trade and investment policy expert with more than two decades of leadership experience across East Africa and other African markets.
Before joining EABC, he served as Country Director for Kenya at TradeMark Africa (TMA), where he led large, multi-year programmes focused on trade facilitation, corridor performance, customs modernisation and private-sector competitiveness.
He previously worked as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and held senior advisory and leadership roles at Deloitte East Africa and PwC.
Throughout his career, Mr Farah has built experience in regional integration, public–private dialogue, donor relations and resource mobilisation, overseeing partnerships aimed at improving trade and investment outcomes.
He is recognised for advancing regional and continental trade commitments, including the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), into practical reforms that reduce trade costs, ease cross-border procedures and expand market access.
The board said Mr Farah brings strategic leadership, deep knowledge of the EAC regulatory environment and a proven track record in institutional strengthening and results-oriented delivery.
His appointment comes as EABC steps up advocacy to address non-tariff barriers, high trade and logistics costs, and uneven implementation of regional commitments.
As Executive Director, Mr Farah will lead the EABC Secretariat in implementing the council’s strategic plan, strengthen engagement with members and national focal points, and deepen collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, organs and institutions.
He will also spearhead resource mobilisation and high-level advocacy at ministerial and heads-of-state levels to advance EABC’s vision of a borderless East Africa that promotes business growth, investment and jobs.
EABC is the umbrella body for the private sector in East Africa. Mr Farah is replacing Mr Adrian Raphael Njau who has been working in that role in the acting capacity since mid-2024.
Mr Njau replaced John Bosco Kalisa of Rwanda, who worked as Executive Director for the three years to 2024.
