President William Ruto is set to jet out of the country on Friday, November 29, 2024, to attend the 21st Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State. The crucial summit will be held in Arusha, Tanzania, marking another significant step in the region’s ongoing efforts to deepen integration and enhance economic cooperation.
Ruto made the announcement during his address at the 9th Annual African Special Economic Zones (SEZ) meeting held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Thursday, November 28. He emphasized that one of the main topics of discussion at the summit will be improving the business environment within the EAC, boosting regional integration, and advancing the implementation of Special Economic Zones (SEZ).
The upcoming summit follows a series of high-profile meetings within the EAC, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to fostering economic ties, security, and regional cooperation. One of the key issues expected to be addressed at the meeting is the role of Special Economic Zones in enhancing industrialization and economic growth across the region.
“We will be expanding the horizon of SEZ to sell goods within the East African region,” Ruto said, highlighting the importance of promoting economic zones as catalysts for regional industrial growth. He also pointed to the recently approved EAC Special Economic Zones Regulations of 2024, which aim to facilitate the free movement of goods across member states. This is seen as a significant step in advancing regional integration, fostering trade, and attracting investment.
The EAC Special Economic Zones initiative seeks to promote industrialization and enhance the competitiveness of East African countries in the global market. By establishing robust SEZs, member states are creating environments that attract both local and foreign investments, with the goal of stimulating job creation, economic diversification, and export growth.
Ruto’s participation in the 21st EAC Summit also comes at a time of continued efforts to stabilize and strengthen the regional bloc. At the 20th EAC Summit held on February 4, 2023, in Bujumbura, Burundi, the Heads of State had received reports on the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a matter that has remained a point of concern for the regional bloc due to ongoing conflicts in the region. The Summit had called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of foreign armed groups from the area, with a strong emphasis on dialogue and conflict resolution.
The 21st Ordinary Summit in Arusha will build on these efforts, with regional security, economic cooperation, and infrastructural development remaining top priorities on the agenda. Ruto’s remarks at the SEZ meeting highlighted the significance of economic collaboration, indicating that the Heads of State would also focus on the integration of regional economies and the enhancement of intra-regional trade.
The East African Community has undergone several changes in recent years, and one of the most notable developments has been the admission of Somalia as the newest member state. On November 23, 2023, the EAC Heads of State formally approved Somalia’s bid for membership, and the country became a full member on March 4, 2024. This expansion of the bloc has further solidified the EAC as one of the most influential regional organizations on the African continent.
In addition to the economic and security discussions, the 21st EAC Summit is expected to tackle other critical issues, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional infrastructural projects. As part of the summit, the Heads of State will also deliberate on how to accelerate the implementation of regional infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and reducing trade barriers.
As President Ruto prepares to attend the summit, his focus on expanding economic opportunities through SEZs and promoting regional integration underscores Kenya’s commitment to driving growth in the East African Community. The outcomes of the 21st EAC Summit will likely shape the future direction of the bloc, paving the way for deeper collaboration and prosperity across the region.
