EAC Partner States Reaffirm Commitment to Accelerating Regional Digital Integration for Economic Transformation

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6^th May, 2026: Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing regional digital integration as a key driver of economic growth, trade, innovation, and regional competitiveness during the 3rd Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The 5^th to 6^th May, 2026 meeting brought together Steering Committee members from all eight EAC Partner States, and representatives from the EAC Secretariat, to review progress in implementation of the Project and provide strategic guidance on regional digital transformation priorities.

In his remarks, the Chairperson of the PSC, Mr. Kenneth Bagarukayo, Commissioner, Data Networking Engineer, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Republic of Uganda emphasised that regional cooperation remains critical in unlocking the full potential of the digital economy and ensuring that Partner States collectively benefit from ongoing digital transformation initiatives.

The PSC commended the progress made under the Project in advancing regional digital connectivity, data governance, cybersecurity coordination, digital trade and cross-border digital financial services. The PSC underscored the importance of digital integration in supporting regional trade, enhancing connectivity, expanding access to digital services, and creating economic opportunities for citizens and businesses across the region.

The meeting further recognized the growing importance of coordinated regional approaches in addressing emerging digital challenges, including cybersecurity, cross-border data governance, and interoperability of payment systems. The Partner States reiterated the need for harmonised legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks to support seamless digital integration and facilitate cross-border trade and investment.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the commitment to strengthen regional collaboration in the implementation of digital infrastructure initiatives, including the development of enhanced roaming and interconnection frameworks to improve affordable and seamless communication services across the region. The PSC stressed the need to accelerate integration of regional payment systems to facilitate cross-border transactions and support the participation of businesses, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in the digital economy.

The PSC further underscored the importance of developing inclusive regional data governance frameworks that support secure cross-border data flows. In addition, the meeting highlighted the role of cybersecurity cooperation and the Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in strengthening regional resilience against cyber threats.

The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and other regional initiatives in line with the EAC digital transformation agenda aimed at positioning East Africa as a competitive and integrated digital economy.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among Partner States, regional institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of EARDIP and the realisation of its objectives of promoting regional digital integration for sustainable economic development.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Aileen Mallya
Communications Expert
Eastern African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 754 266564
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.eac.int/eardip

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.