By Yiep Joseph
East African Community (EAC) has tabled estimated USD 109.3 for FY 2025/2026 budget.
According to EAC secretariate, the budget was presented before the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) during sitting at the regional bloc Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
“The East African Community (EAC) has tabled before the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) the budget estimates for the 2025/2026 Financial Year totalling USD109,338,151” EAC secretariate disclosed in statement.
The East African Community (EAC) currently consists of eight member states; Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The budget focused on Trade, peace, integration, digital systems, Monetary Union among others.
While presenting the budget, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Beatrice Askul Moe, who is also Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, outlined key priorities.
The 2025/2026 FY budget is themed: “Inclusive Economic Transformation through Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Resilient Strategic Investment for Job Creation and Improved Livelihoods,”
Among priority areas are; enhancing peace, security, political processes, and emergency response mechanisms in the region, advancing the EAC Customs Union to boost regional trade and improve supply chains, Strengthening implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol for sustainable development and socioeconomic welfare, Expediting harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies toward the East African Monetary Union, Improving climate-resilient infrastructure and digital transformation to support regional integration and Enhancing the institutional capacity of EAC Organs and Institutions and increasing stakeholder engagement.
In allocation, USD 55,209,392 has been awarded to EAC Secretariat, USD 5,056,413 to East African Court of Justice, USD 20,495,264 to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), USD 7,606,052 to Lake Victoria Basin Commission and USD 10,802,434 to Inter-University Council for East Africa.
Others include, USD 2,436,924 to Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation, USD 2,210,511to East African Science and Technology Commission, USD 1,641,445 to East African Kiswahili Commission, USD 2,354,504 to East African Health Research Commission and USD 1,525,212 to East African Competition Authority.
Meanwhile, Center for Peace and Advocacy urges the East African Community to Prioritize Free Trade among Member States
In a statement to the media, Ter Manyang, the Executive Director of Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) called on the East African Community (EAC) to prioritize the full implementation of free trade among member states.
This call follows the release of the EAC’s annual budget allocations for its key institutions for the fiscal year, totalling over USD 109 million.
“While CPA recognizes the importance of investing in regional institutions, the organization should focus on integration agenda to boost businesses,” he said.
Another activist, Chol Guar called on the community to prioritized initiatives that improve the lives of citizens in the member countries who lack services.
He appealed to the members of the Assembly to ensure that stability in the countries be prioritize.
“As an activist, I can say there is need for EAC in everything including budget to prioritize member countries in conflict like South Sudan by funding activities that can bring stability” Guar said.
Chol also drew concerns on stability of South Sudan, saying it benefits the East Africa Community, as a whole.
The activist urged the leaders and the Assembly to ensure that the budget addresses critical issues that take the country backward.
In addition to stability in South Sudan, Chol cited wrangles among some members of the East Africa Community that equally need much attention.