Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) have set June 30, 2026 as the deadline for partner states to eliminate all remaining non-tariff barriers affecting trade across the region.
The directive was issued during the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held in Arusha, Tanzania, where regional leaders reviewed progress on the implementation of community programmes and projects.
According to the summit communiqué, leaders examined a report presented by the EAC Council of Ministers covering the period from November 2024 to December 2025.
The summit commended the council for progress made in implementing regional programmes but acknowledged that persistent trade barriers continue to hinder the free movement of goods and services within the bloc.
To address the challenge, the leaders directed governments to move swiftly to remove the obstacles.
The communiqué states that the summit “directed the partner states and the Council to resolve all outstanding reported non-tariff barriers to trade within the Community by 30th June, 2026.”
Non-tariff barriers often take the form of bureaucratic delays, administrative procedures, licensing requirements and other regulatory restrictions that slow cross-border trade despite the existence of regional trade agreements.
Regional institutions were also tasked with strengthening cooperation mechanisms to ensure smoother trade operations across the bloc.
The summit instructed the Council of Ministers “to conclude the joint action plan on strengthening trade relations arising from the meeting of EAC organs and institutions.”
Analysts say the removal of these barriers could significantly boost intra-regional trade and accelerate progress toward deeper economic integration within the eight-member bloc.
