EAC Ministers prepare a platform for the Heads of State Summit

ARUSHA: The 59th Special Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community (EAC) has commenced at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, as part of preparations for the 25th Summit of EAC Heads of State scheduled for March 7, 2026, in the city.

The special meeting started at the Expert level from March 2 to 3, 2026, during which experts will review and discuss the agenda and various reports to be submitted for consideration at the Council of Permanent Secretaries meeting on March 4, 2026, and subsequently at the Ministers’ meeting on March 5, 2026.

Key issues expected to be discussed include the receipt and review of the EAC Council of Ministers’ Annual Report for the period November 30, 2024, to December 30, 2025, the Council’s report on the implementation of decisions and directives from previous EAC Heads of State meetings, the launch of the Seventh Development Strategy of the East African Community (2026/27 – 2030/31), and the introduction of the EAC Customs Bond/Guarantee.

ALSO READ: Dr Samia off to Ethiopia for AU Heads of State Summit

The meeting will also address the ratification and signing of Bills passed by the East African Legislative Assembly, the appointment of the EAC Secretary-General, the renewal of the appointment agreement for Deputy Secretaries-General, the appointment of judges to the EAC Court, and the presentation of awards to winners of the essay writing competition.

The Tanzanian delegation is led by Benjamin Mwesiga, Director of Trade, Investment, and Productive Sectors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. The delegation includes officials from the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance; President’s Office – Planning and Investment; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Industry and Trade; and the Attorney General’s Office.

The East African Community has eight member states with a combined population of over 300 million and an estimated collective GDP exceeding 300bn US dollars, making it one of Africa’s largest regional markets with substantial investment opportunities.