47th meeting explores best ways to implement EAC Customs Protocol

NAIROBI: East African Community member states met in Nairobi to explore several areas of cross-border business, fairness and customs operation guided by Articles 10 and 15 of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.

The United Republic of Tanzania was among the 8 participants of the 47th Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council of Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI), as well as the Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Finance and Economic Affairs of the East African Community. These meetings were held from 19 to 25 November 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation responsible for East African Affairs, James Kinyasi Millya, attended these important meetings for the first time since being sworn into office.

Among other matters, the meetings received and discussed reports from committees responsible for trade, customs, investment, standards, and the East African Competition Authority.

Additionally, the ministers received and examined a list of fees, charges, and levies imposed by partner states that do not comply with the principles of fairness, contrary to Articles 10 and 15 of the East African Community Customs Union Protocol.

At the Permanent Secretaries’ level, the Tanzanian delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, responsible for East African Affairs, Ambassador Stephen P. Mbundi.

Tanzania’s delegation to the two key meetings included representatives from the President’s Office—Finance and Planning (Zanzibar), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). The delegation was led by the Minister of Finance and Planning—Zanzibar, Hon. Dr. Juma Malik Akil.

All eight member states of the East African Community attended the meeting.