EAC says it withstands global economic shocks, heading to its Heads of State Summit

Dotto LameckMarch 6, 2026

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ARUSHA: The 59th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community (EAC) has been held in Arusha, Tanzania, as part of the final preparations for the 25th East African Community Heads of State Summit scheduled to take place on March 7, 2026.

During the meeting, the Council received and deliberated on the report from the meeting of Permanent Secretaries, along with other strategic matters related to the operations of the Community.

The ministers finalized preparations for the agenda items that will be presented to the Heads of State for discussion, decisions, and policy directives.

The Summit of Heads of State is the highest decision-making organ within the Community.

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Speaking during the opening session, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary responsible for East African Community Affairs and Chairperson of the meeting, Beatrice Askul Moe, stated that the prepared agenda is expected to provide new direction in addressing several challenges currently facing the EAC. Among the challenges she highlighted were limited financial resources to support the operations of the EAC Secretariat and shortages in staffing.

She also called on delegates to continue strengthening and sustaining cooperation within the Community. According to her, such collaboration has enabled member states to better withstand global economic shocks, including rising prices of essential commodities such as food.

Tanzania’s delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. The delegation also included deputy ministers from various sectors, namely Mshamu Ali Munde, Deputy Minister for Finance; Regina Ndege Qwaray, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance; and Dennis Lazaro Londo, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, along with other senior government officials.