Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) are set to meet today in Arusha, Tanzania, for the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State where they will appoint new leadership to steer the regional bloc and advance cooperation among partner states.
The summit will bring together leaders including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Felix Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
According to the EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva, the meeting remains the most important platform for guiding the regional bloc’s integration agenda.
“The summit of the EAC Heads of State remains the most important platform for guiding the community’s integration agenda. Convening in Arusha provides an opportunity to take strategic decisions that strengthen cooperation, promote trade and advance shared prosperity for the people of East Africa,” Nduva said.
During the meeting, the leaders will deliberate on key matters shaping the future of the regional bloc, including progress in the implementation of regional programmes, institutional reports and strategic initiatives aimed at deepening integration and improving the livelihoods of East African citizens.
One of the major highlights of the summit will be the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, a single regional customs guarantee designed to replace the current system that requires traders to obtain multiple national bonds along transit routes.
Under the new arrangement, traders and clearing agents will secure one bond that is recognised across all EAC partner states instead of arranging separate guarantees in each country of transit. The system will link customs administrations, insurers and financial institutions under a unified regional framework.
Officials say the arrangement is expected to reduce compliance costs, cut border delays, protect government revenue and facilitate faster movement of goods across the region.
The summit will also witness the launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy for the period 2026/27 to 2030/31. The strategy will guide the bloc’s efforts to accelerate regional integration and socio economic transformation over the next five years.
The strategy builds on achievements and lessons from previous development cycles while aligning with the EAC Vision 2050, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Nduva said the launch of the new strategy demonstrates the community’s continued shift towards practical solutions that enhance regional competitiveness and economic resilience.
Leaders from the eight member states will also appoint a new EAC Secretary General, appoint judges to the East African Court of Justice, renew the appointment of a deputy secretary general, appoint commissioners to the EAC Competition Authority and assent to bills passed by the East African Legislative Assembly.
The heads of state will also consider the report of the Council to the summit for the period ending November 30, 2025.
Another key issue on the agenda will be the modalities for implementing the directive of the 24th summit on sustainable financing of the EAC budget. The proposed model is based on a formula where partner states contribute 65 percent equally and 35 percent through assessed contributions.
