Permanent Secretaries responsible for East African Community (EAC) affairs and trade from member states have agreed to accelerate measures to remove barriers hindering trade within the Community. The agreement was reached on September 24, 2026, during a Regional Permanent Secretaries’ Meeting held in Dar es Salaam. The meeting reviewed implementation of directives issued by the 25th EAC Heads of State Summit, held in Arusha on March 7, 2026.
The 25th EAC Heads of State Summit directed member states to address and eliminate all reported non-tariff barriers to trade within the Community by June 30, 2026. The meeting in Dar es Salaam focused on assessing progress and establishing urgent measures to address Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) that continue to affect trade among EAC member states. The Permanent Secretaries also agreed to accelerate measures to eliminate duties, fees, charges and discriminatory domestic taxes imposed on goods originating from EAC member states.
The measures are aimed at creating a level playing field for goods produced and traded within the Community, reducing the cost of doing business and facilitating the movement of goods across borders. This is in accordance with Articles 10 and 15 of the EAC Customs Union Protocol. Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation responsible for East African affairs, Charles Ngeleja Kadonya, emphasized the importance of implementing plans, decisions and agreements reached by member states.
Mr. Kadonya stressed that member states must ensure that decisions reached at the regional level are implemented on time to remove barriers that increase business costs and cause delays. He also called for improved efficiency in trade and transport systems across the region, including One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs). The meeting in Dar es Salaam brought together experts and Permanent Secretaries as part of EAC efforts to strengthen implementation of regional agreements.
The meeting, held from September 22 to 25, 2026, aimed to strengthen implementation of regional agreements, remove trade barriers and facilitate the movement of goods, services and capital within the Community. Tanzania’s delegation to the meeting was led by Permanent Secretary Charles Ngeleja Kadonya and included the Permanent Secretary of Zanzibar’s Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development, Dr Habiba Hassan Omar.
The delegation also included senior officials from various government ministries and institutions. The EAC efforts to strengthen implementation of regional agreements and remove trade barriers are expected to increase benefits for citizens. The agreement to accelerate removal of barriers hindering trade within the bloc is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The EAC member states will continue to work together to implement plans and decisions reached during the meeting. The removal of trade barriers is expected to boost trade and economic growth within the region. The next steps will involve implementing the agreed-upon measures and monitoring progress.
Key points
- The EAC Permanent Secretaries agreed to accelerate measures to remove barriers hindering trade within the Community.
- The meeting in Dar es Salaam aimed to strengthen implementation of regional agreements and remove trade barriers.
- The removal of trade barriers is expected to boost trade and economic growth within the region.
