The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Burundi with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Treaty for Establishment of the East African Community was signed on 30 November 1999 and entered into force on 7 July 2000 following its ratification by the original three Partner States – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18 June 2007 and became full Members of the Community with effect from 1 July 2007.

Mission and Vision

The Vision of EAC is a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa; and the Mission is to widen and deepen Economic, Political, Social and Culture integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

The EAC’s core values are:

• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Teamwork
• Unity in Diversity
• Allegiance to EAC ideals

Aims and Objectives

The EAC aims at widening and deepening co-operation among the Partner States in, among others, political, economic and social fields for their mutual benefit. To this extent the EAC countries established a Customs Union in 2005 and are working towards the establishment of a Common Market in 2010, subsequently a Monetary Union by 2012 and ultimately a Political Federation of the East African States.

Enlargement of the Community

The realisation of a large regional economic bloc encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda with a combined population of more than 125 million people, land area of 1.82 million sq kilometres and a combined Gross Domestic Product of $73 billion (2009*), bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects of a renewed and reinvigorated East African Community.

Current status

The regional integration process is at a high pitch at the moment as reflected by the encouraging progress of the East African Customs Union, the signing in November 2009 and ratification in 2010 of the Common Market Protocol by all the Partner States.

The consultations on the Monetary Union, which commenced in 2009, and fast tracking the process towards East African Federation all underscore the serious determination of the East African leadership and citizens to construct a powerful and sustainable East African economic and political bloc.

EAC Quick Facts

Area (incl. water):     1.82 million sq. km

Population:     133,1 million (2011)

GDP:     $79,2 billion (2011)

EAC Headquarters:     Arusha, Tanzania

First established:     1967

Re-established:     July 7, 2000

Main languages:     English, Kiswahili

Secretary General:     Dr. Richard Sezibera

Key EAC dates

1967: EAC first established

1977:  EAC dissolved

30 November 1993: Signing of Agreement for the Establishment of the Permanent Tripartite Commission for East African Co-operation

14 March 1996: Secretariat of the Permanent Tripartite Commission launched, full co-operation operations begin

30 November 1999: Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community signed

7 July 2000: Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community enters into force

18 June 2007: The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi accede to EAC Treaty

1 July 2007: Rwanda and Burundi become full members of the EAC

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 December 2011

Website: http://www.eac.int

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