Ruto to attend 25th EAC summit in Arusha on Saturday

President William Ruto will travel to Tanzania on March 7, to attend the 25th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State in Arusha.

The Summit is the highest decision-making organ of the EAC which will bring together Heads of State from the bloc’s eight Partner States to deliberate on key matters shaping the future of the regional community.

In a statement on Tuesday, EAC said the Leaders will review progress in the implementation of regional programmes, consider institutional reports, and discuss strategic initiatives aimed at deepening integration and improving the livelihoods of East African citizens.

The meeting, themed “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens,” will focus on boosting economic growth and enhancing living standards across the region.

During the Summit, Heads of State are expected to launch the EAC Customs Bond. 

The Bond is a single regional customs guarantee that replaces the current requirement for multiple national bonds along transit routes. 

Under the new arrangement, traders and clearing agents will secure one bond recognised across all EAC Partner States, instead of arranging separate guarantees in each country of transit.

The Customs Bond links customs administrations, insurers and financial institutions under a unified regional framework. 

It is designed to reduce compliance costs, cut border delays, protect government revenue, and facilitate faster and more secure movement of goods across the Community.

The Summit will also mark the official launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31). The strategy sets the direction for accelerating regional integration and socio-economic transformation over the next five years.

 It builds on achievements and lessons from the previous development cycle. It also aligns with EAC Vision 2050, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva underscored the importance of the Summit as a platform for collective leadership and regional decision-making.

“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 for our leaders to take strategic decisions that strengthen cooperation, promote trade, and advance shared prosperity for the people of East Africa,” she said.

She added that the launch of the EAC Customs Bond and the 7th Development Strategy demonstrates the Community’s continued shift toward practical solutions that enhance regional competitiveness and economic resilience.

“These milestones reflect our collective resolve to remove barriers to trade and to implement a forward-looking development framework that responds to emerging regional and global priorities,” the Secretary General said.

Also on the agenda is the consideration of the Report of the Council to the Summit covering the period November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025. Leaders will also discuss the modality for implementing the directive of the 24th Summit on sustainable financing of the EAC budget. 

The proposal is based on a 65 per cent equal contribution and 35 per cent assessed contribution formula. The status of integration of Partner States admitted into the Community between 2016 and 2024 will also be reviewed.

The Heads of State are further expected to appoint a new EAC Secretary General. They will appoint judges to the East African Court of Justice, renew the appointments of Deputy Secretaries General, and appoint commissioners to the EAC Competition Authority. 

They will also assent to Bills passed by the East African Legislative Assembly.

The outcomes of the Summit are expected to reinforce policy alignment among Partner States and accelerate the implementation of key regional programmes aimed at fostering inclusive growth and deeper economic integration.

The Summit will be preceded by an extraordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers.