The East African Community is beginning a new five-year development strategy with 42 ongoing projects valued at about $370 million, as the regional bloc seeks additional financing for 48 proposed projects across its eight member states.
The existing portfolio, supported by 12 major development partners through direct and indirect financing, provides the foundation for the EAC’s 7th Development Strategy, which runs from 2026/27 to 2030/31.
But as the bloc prepares to expand its development agenda, questions remain over the financing, implementation and expected impact of the next generation of regional projects.
The EAC has not disclosed the estimated cost of the 48 proposed projects, how many have secured funding or how much additional financing will be needed to implement them.
The proposals cover regional economic integration, infrastructure, productive sectors, social development, science and technology, institutional strengthening, and peace and security.
Speaking at the 4th EAC Development Partners Group Forum in Arusha, Secretary General Stephen Mbundi said the priority was to translate the new strategy into practical results.
“The 7th EAC Development Strategy sets out an ambitious agenda for a more integrated, competitive and resilient East Africa. Our priority now is implementation,” Mbundi said.
“Through this Forum, we hope to move from identifying priorities to building practical partnerships that mobilise financing, technical expertise and investment around programmes that deliver measurable results for our citizens,” he said.
The strategy aims to advance regional integration, strengthen infrastructure and productive sectors, expand trade and investment opportunities, and improve livelihoods across the region.
Mbundi said the success of development partnerships should be measured by their impact rather than the volume of resources mobilized.
“Our measure of success will not simply be the amount of resources mobilised, but the impact those resources create,” he said.
He identified reducing the cost of doing business across borders, strengthening regional infrastructure and productive sectors, and creating opportunities for young people and women as key priorities.
Development partners also stressed the need to align their support more closely with the EAC’s priorities and improve coordination in the implementation of regional programmes.
Julia Kronberg, head of development cooperation for Tanzania and the EAC at the German Embassy in Tanzania and chairperson of the EAC Development Partners Group, said financing individual projects would not be enough to achieve lasting regional impact.
“Development Partners recognise that achieving sustainable regional impact requires more than financing individual projects. It requires strong alignment with EAC priorities, effective coordination and shared accountability for results,” Kronberg said.
The Nov. 10-11 forum brought together the EAC and its development partners at the regional bloc’s headquarters in Arusha to discuss funding priorities, ongoing programmes and opportunities for cooperation.
The new strategy will guide the EAC’s development agenda through 2031. Its implementation will depend on the bloc’s ability to mobilize resources, coordinate development partners and translate regional priorities into projects that deliver measurable benefits across member states.
