Dar es Salaam. Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has called on the private sector to play a more active role in advancing the East African integration agenda, saying governments cannot achieve this goal on their own.
Speaking yesterday during the EABC CEOs – EAC Secretary General Meeting, convened to identify barriers to intra-EAC trade and investment, Dr Kombo said the private sector must not only point out obstacles but also champion innovative solutions.
“With strong political goodwill, continued reforms, and focused engagement, the EAC has the potential to unlock unprecedented opportunities for businesses and citizens across the region,” he said.
He urged business leaders to take the lead in driving integration through trade and investment, noting that Tanzania remains committed to working with its East African neighbours to create a better business environment.
“We are one region, one community,” said Dr Kombo. “But let me be frank: when you come to us, focus on business. Let us handle the politics. Your role is to bring forward ideas that create growth and opportunity.”
He highlighted Tanzania’s growing role in regional connectivity, particularly in telecommunications and trade. Tanzania now sees more mobile traffic with its East African neighbours than with the rest of the world – an indicator of increasing regional integration.
The country also leads intra-EAC trade, contributing $4.9 billion in 2023, outpacing Kenya and Uganda. Since 2016, Tanzania’s trade with EAC partners has grown by 225 percent, demonstrating strong momentum.
Despite this growth, intra-EAC trade still accounts for just 13 percent of total EAC trade, underlining the need for deeper integration.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, the bloc’s newest member, has recorded a 107 percent increase in trade since joining, signalling strong potential.
Dr Kombo emphasised the need for better coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, which he said serves as the official liaison for all EAC matters.
“Too often, investors bypass our ministry and go directly to Trade, Transport, or Finance. That needs to change. We are your first stop when it comes to EAC engagement,” he said, urging CEOs and investors to use the forum to generate “forward-thinking ideas” that produce tangible results.
EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to structured public-private dialogue, citing recent consultative meetings held in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya.
She outlined key policy priorities including the elimination of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), harmonisation of standards and domestic taxes, liberalisation of trade in services and air transport, operationalisation of the EAC Trade Remedies Committee, and full adoption of the EAC Common External Tariff.
Ms Nduva also invited stakeholders to the East African Business and Investment Summit and Expo 2025, scheduled for October 16–17 in Nairobi, as a continued platform for public-private engagement.
Acting Executive Director of the East African Business Council (EABC), Mr Adrian Njau, acknowledged the progress made but underscored persistent challenges, including inconsistent application of the Common External Tariff, divergent national tax and regulatory policies, high transport and logistics costs, and discriminatory levies on intra-EAC goods.
“For the EAC to become truly competitive, these issues must be addressed with urgency and consistency,” Mr Njau said. “We appreciate the political will shown by partner states. Now we need action – practical, uniform implementation of regional commitments.”
Dr Kombo concluded by urging participants to make the meeting a turning point.
“Let this not be just another meeting. Let it be a new chapter in our journey as a unified East African business community,” he said.
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