Germany pledges 26 million Euro to EAC to foster Regional Integration

The Federal Republic of Germany has supported politically the integration process of the East African Community (EAC) from its founding through various programmes and projects conducted by German development organisations GIZ and KfW. Influenced by its own positive experience of the merits of integration, the German Government considers regional integration key for economic development, prosperity, peace and security in the East African region.

From 27th to 28th September the government negotiations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the East African Community on development cooperation took place in Arusha. 

The German Delegation was led by Dr. Ralph Mohs, Director for East Africa in the Federal Ministry for Development Cooperation. On the EAC side the delegation was headed by Dr. Richard Sezibera, the EAC Secretary General.

The common three-year programme, which was agreed upon on September 28th, will focus on institutional strengthening of the EAC Secretariat and will support the important implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols. 

This includes the elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers such as tax harmonisation as well as Mutual Recognition Agreements for qualifications. Furthermore, Germany will support the EAC in promoting private investment especially in the pharmaceutical sector as well as in

renewable energy.

Since this cooperation between the EAC and Germany began in 1996 the total volume of German support to the EAC amounts to almost 82 million Euro. Particularly remarkable is the support of 14 million Euro for the construction of the new EAC Headquarters’ building in Arusha which will be inaugurated very soon.

This regional cooperation complements the German bilateral cooperation with the United Republic of Tanzania which amounts to 1.6 billion Euro over the last five decades.