On 20^th July 2022, KEPSA, represented by Mr Victor Ogalo – KEPSA Deputy CEO – Business, participated in the High-Level Retreat for the EAC Summit on the EAC Common Market Protocol under the theme ’11 years of creating an EAC Common Market Achievements and the Road Ahead‘ that was held at the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania. The forum was held ahead of the Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State under the theme ‘EAC: Deepening Integration, Widening Cooperation’.

Mr Ogalo delivered a presentation in a panel session on Reflection on the cross-cutting issues and the role of the private sector in the implementation of the Common Market Protocol. The panel was composed of Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs of Uganda; Mr Simon Kaheru – EABC Vice-Chairman; Mr Audace Niyonzima – Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Burundi and Dr James Mwangi – CEO, Equity Bank.

Mr Ogalo’s presentation highlighted Challenges affecting the private sector and the realization of the Customs Union and Common Market, which include;

1. Persistent NTBs and delayed Amendment of the EAC Elimination of NTBs Act, 2017;

2. Delayed activation of the EAC committee on trade remedies to handle trade disputes;

3. Non-harmonized domestic taxes and discriminatory taxes that limit one investment area;

4. Non-harmonized work permit regime;

5. Lack of mutual recognition of product standards and a legally binding mechanism to enforce the implementation of the signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) for professionals;

6. Discriminatory Partner States’ local content policies and the need to move towards Regional Local Content Policy;

7. High Cost of Regional Air Travel Costs that lead to a loss of $200million annually to foreign airlines;

8. Failure to complete a One Area Network and high telecommunications and broadband internet costs;

In his remarks, Hon. Dr Peter Mathuki – Secretary-General, EAC Secretariat stated that the deliberations will enable the region to come up with concrete resolutions to spur the realization of the Common Market and EAC Vision 2050.

The Chief Guest, Hon. Betty Maina, Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers said the Retreat is an opportunity to share experiences, unlock silent impediments and recommit ourselves and chart out a road map to align our national laws to obligations of the EAC Common Market Protocol.

The summit also featured a panel session on ‘Reflections on the free movement of goods and services in the EAC: the Scorecard and Journey ahead’ that included Dr Jacqueline Mkindi – EABC Board Director and Dr Vimal Shah – EABC Chairman Emeritus.

This High-Level Retreat on the EAC Common Market Protocol brings together ministers, captains of industry, experts and other key stakeholders from the EAC Partner States to discuss solutions to facilitate the movement of persons, workers, goods, and services and address bottlenecks to trade and investment in the EAC.