EAC Tables USD 110.9 Million Budget to EALA for Financial Year 2026/2027

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 23^rd June 2026: The EAC yesterday evening presented to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) budget estimates amounting to USD 110,863,576 for the Financial Year 2026/2027. The budget was presented by the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Minister for East African Community Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, during the Budget Sitting of the Assembly held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The FY 2026/2027 Budget is themed "Deepening Commitment and Realising Objectives and Benefits of Regional Integration." It marks the commencement of implementation of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27-2030/31) and introduces a new financing framework aimed at strengthening ownership, sustainability, and effective implementation of the regional integration agenda.

Presenting the Budget, Rt. Hon. Kadaga informed the Assembly that despite increasing global economic uncertainties, the East African Community continued to register remarkable achievements across the pillars of regional integration during the Financial Year 2025/2026.

The Council Chairperson reported that the region's economy grew by 5.8 percent in 2025, surpassing both the global average of 3.4 percent and Sub-Saharan Africa's average of 4.5 percent. Intra-EAC trade expanded significantly by 28 percent to USD 19.3 billion, while total trade with the rest of the world grew by 25.4 percent to USD 156.6 billion. Regional exports increased by 37.5 percent, contributing to a sharp reduction in the Community's trade deficit to USD 2.6 billion in 2025 from USD 13 billion in 2024.

"East Africans reached out to one another increasingly in terms of cross-border trade, farmers reached new markets, manufacturers expanded production, transporters moved more goods faster and young entrepreneurs found opportunities beyond national borders," she told the Assembly.

The Community also strengthened implementation of the Customs Union through the resolution of 35 Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, a regional digital guarantee scheme that facilitates movement of goods across Partner States under a single financial security.

On peace, security and political integration, Rt. Hon. Kadaga highlighted the resumption of national consultations on the drafting of the Constitution for the East African Political Confederation, deployment of election observer missions, support to peace initiatives in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the successful conduct of the 14th EAC Armed Forces Command Post Exercise (Ushirikiano Imara).

The Community further strengthened cooperation among border communities through the launch of the Ateker Leaders' Council and conducted the Fifth EAC Civil-Military Cooperation Week in Rwanda, during which more than 1,000 citizens received medical treatment, vulnerable households received solar installations, and communities gained access to clean water.

In tourism, the Chairperson noted that the Community had made a major step towards marketing East Africa as a single destination through adoption and promotion of the regional tourism brand, "Visit East Africa - Feel the Vibe."

"We do not speak as individual countries; we speak with one voice. And the world is listening," Rt. Hon. Kadaga remarked.

The health sector continued to demonstrate the benefits of regional cooperation, with the nine EAC Centres of Excellence in Biomedical Sciences training 785 postgraduate students and over 3,300 health professionals, while more than 12,500 patients received specialised treatment, including kidney transplants and cancer care.

"Perhaps few achievements illustrate the power of regional cooperation better than those recorded in the health sector," Rt. Hon. Kadaga said, noting that the Community also deployed mobile laboratories and testing kits to support Partner States during outbreaks of Ebola and Mpox.

In science, technology and innovation, the Community supported 16 youth innovators with grants and training to transform Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions into commercially viable products and services.

"This initiative will accelerate AI-driven entrepreneurship, create jobs, attract investment and enhance the region's digital competitiveness and socio-economic development," she said.

Significant progress was also recorded in infrastructure development. The Community advanced major regional road projects, completed designs for strategic One Stop Border Posts, and supported continued implementation of the Standard Gauge Railway network across the region. Construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) progressed to more than 80 percent completion, while financing was secured for feasibility studies of the 39MW Nsongezi Hydropower Project along the Uganda-Tanzania border.

The Community further strengthened maritime safety on Lake Victoria through the commissioning of the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mwanza, deployment of rescue vessels and operationalisation of the research vessel RV Jumuiya.

"For fishermen, traders and families who depend on the waters of Lake Victoria, these investments represent something priceless: safety, confidence and hope," Rt. Hon. Kadaga observed.

The Chairperson also highlighted major strides in digital transformation through implementation of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), which is accelerating development of the EAC Single Digital Market.

"The EARDIP seeks to accelerate the development of the EAC Single Digital Market by expanding affordable broadband connectivity, strengthening regional digital infrastructure, enhancing cross-border digital services, interoperable digital payment platforms and promoting digital innovation and inclusion across the Partner States," she said.

Rt. Hon. Kadaga commended the East African Legislative Assembly for its continued legislative and oversight role, noting that during the reporting period the Assembly passed key Bills, including the EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the EAC Standardisation, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment Bill, while also adopting recommendations aimed at strengthening the regional integration agenda.

The Chairperson also highlighted the contribution of the East African Court of Justice in promoting the rule of law and regional integration, noting that during the period under review the Court delivered 12 judgments, 9 rulings, 1 mediation agreement and 1 arbitration award, while the 25th Summit of EAC Heads of State appointed three new judges to strengthen the First Instance Division.

On governance and institutional strengthening, the Community adopted the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27-2030/31), commissioned the headquarters of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, completed construction of the Inter-University Council for East Africa headquarters, and maintained strong accountability systems.

Rt. Hon. Kadaga informed the Assembly that all EAC Organs, Institutions, projects and programmes received unqualified (clean) audit opinion for the Financial Year ended 30^th June, 2025 underscoring the Community's commitment to prudent financial management, transparency and accountability.

"The East African Community remains steadfast in its pursuit of deeper regional integration, fostering sustainable economic growth, social development, regional stability and institutional effectiveness to deliver tangible benefits and shared prosperity for all East Africans," she noted.

The FY 2026/2027 Budget will focus on seven strategic priority areas aligned to the 7th EAC Development Strategy. These include promotion of regional trade and value chains, industrialisation and value addition, social integration, implementation of the East African Monetary Union roadmap, infrastructure development, peace and security, and institutional strengthening.

Budget allocations by strategic priority area are as follows:

• Promoting inter and intra-regional trade through consolidated value chains and legal reforms - USD 11.1 million
• Boosting production, productivity, regional industrial development through value addition in key productive sectors to stimulate economic diversification - USD 7.2 million
• Strengthening social integration through improved access to quality social services and enhanced social cohesion - USD 10.7 million
• Advancing the harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies, operationalisation of the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI), and an integrated financial system toward the implementation of EAMU Roadmap - USD 4.1 million
• Improving regional infrastructure to boost trade integration, mobility, and competitiveness - USD 4.0 million
• Promoting regional governance, political commitment, accountability, and inclusivity for sustained peace, security, and enhanced defence integration within the EAC - USD 3.4 million
• Building institutional capacity to improve compliance, coordination, and visibility for increased service delivery and accountability across the Community - USD 70.5 million

The Budget is expected to deliver increased intra-EAC trade, enhanced industrial competitiveness, greater climate resilience, improved access to social services, deeper macroeconomic convergence, reduced trade costs, strengthened regional peace and security, and improved institutional effectiveness across EAC Organs and Institutions.

The FY 2026/2027 Budget will be implemented through the following allocations to EAC Organs and Institutions:

• EAC Secretariat - USD 59.8 million
• East African Legislative Assembly - USD 19.2 million
• East African Court of Justice - USD 5.0 million
• Inter-University Council for East Africa - USD 9.3 million
• Lake Victoria Basin Commission - USD 7.0 million
• East African Science and Technology Commission - USD 2.7 million
• East African Health Research Commission - USD 2.4 million
• Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization - USD 2.2 million
• East African Community Competition Authority - USD 1.7 million
• East African Kiswahili Commission - USD 1.6 million

Rt. Hon. Kadaga commended the EAC Heads of State for their leadership and particularly welcomed the decisions of the 25th Ordinary Summit regarding sustainable financing of the Community. She noted that the new financing framework would strengthen the credibility and long-term sustainability of the EAC integration process.

The Council further expressed appreciation to Partner States and Development Partners for their continued support to the regional integration agenda and reaffirmed the Community's commitment to delivering tangible benefits and shared prosperity for all East Africans.

The Council Chairperson also took the opportunity to congratulate the Secretary General, Hon. Amb. Stephen Patrick Mbundi, on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to build on the gains made by the Community and steer the implementation of the 7th EAC Development Strategy. She reaffirmed the Council's commitment to working closely with the new Secretary General in advancing a prosperous, integrated, stable and resilient East Africa.

The Chairperson further congratulated Hon. Veronica Mueni Nduva on the successful completion of her tenure as Secretary General of the East African Community, commending her distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the regional integration agenda.

The Budget estimates will be considered and debated by the East African Legislative Assembly before approval.

DOWNLOADS:

PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2026/2027 TO THE EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2026/2027

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2026/2027 - A Presentation

For more information, please contact:

Aileen Mallya
Communications Expert
Eastern African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)
East African Community Secretariat
EAC Close, Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096, Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 216 2100
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the East African Community:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The EAC aims to expand and deepen economic, political, social, and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value-added production, trade, and investment.