East African Community facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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 Flag
 Emblem
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Motto: "Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki"
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Anthem: "Wimbo wa Jumuiya Afrika Mashariki"
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An orthographic map projection of the world, highlighting the East African Community's member states (green), Somalia joined in 2023
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| Headquarters | Arusha, Tanzania 3°22′S 36°41′E / 3.367°S 36.683°E |
| Largest city | Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Official languages | Swahili, English, French |
| Lingua franca | Swahili |
| Demonym(s) | East African |
| Type | Intergovernmental |
| Partner states | |
| Leaders | |
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• Summit Chairperson
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 Salva Kiir Mayardit |
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• Council Chairperson
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Deng Dau Deng |
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• EACJ President
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 Nestor Kayobera |
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly |
| Establishment | |
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• First established
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1967 |
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• Dissolved
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1977 |
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• Re-established
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7 July 2000 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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4,810,363 km2 (1,857,292 sq mi) (7th) |
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• Water (%)
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4.14 |
| Population | |
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• 2022 estimate
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312,362,653 (4th) |
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• Density
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58.4/km2 (151.3/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2022 estimate |
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• Total
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US$923.532 billion (34th) |
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• Per capita
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US$3,286 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
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• Total
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US$332.764 billion (50th) |
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• Per capita
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US$1,184.87 |
| HDI (2019) | 0.540 low |
| Currency | East African shilling (EAS) |
The East African Community (EAC) is a group of eight countries in Eastern Africa. These countries work together on many things. They are Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The EAC helps these countries trade and cooperate. It aims to make the region stronger and more connected. The group was first started in 1967. It broke apart in 1977 but was brought back together on July 7, 2000.
In 2008, the EAC joined with two other big groups, SADC and COMESA. This created a larger free trade area. This means it's easier for goods to move between many countries in Africa. The EAC is also a key part of the larger African Economic Community.
The EAC hopes to create a single country called the East African Federation. In 2010, they started a common market. This allows goods, workers, and money to move freely. Their goal is to have a common currency and later, a full political union. In 2013, they planned to create a shared currency within 10 years. A committee was formed in 2018 to write a constitution for the region.
History of the East African Community
How the EAC Started and Came Back
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have worked together for a long time. They shared a currency from 1919 to 1966. They also had a customs union, which helps with trade.
Different groups helped them cooperate over the years. These included the East African High Commission (1948-1961) and the East African Common Services Organization (1961-1967). The first EAC was formed in 1967.
Burundi and Rwanda joined the EAC on July 6, 2009. The East African High Commission helped formalize cooperation in 1948. It set up a customs union and shared services. After these countries became independent, the EACSO took over. Many thought this would lead to a political union.
However, the new group faced problems. There was a lack of shared planning and different political ideas. Kenya also had a stronger economy. In 1967, the EAC was created to fix these issues. It aimed to strengthen ties through a common market. This would help achieve balanced economic growth.
In 1977, the EAC broke apart. This happened because Kenya wanted more power in decisions. There were also disagreements with Uganda's leader, Idi Amin. The countries also had different economic systems. Tanzania had socialism, and Kenya had capitalism. This collapse meant over 60 years of cooperation were lost.
On November 30, 1993, the leaders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda signed a new treaty. They set up a group to work together again. They started to rebuild cooperation in many areas. These included politics, economy, social issues, and security.
The EAC was officially brought back on November 30, 1999. The treaty came into effect on July 7, 2000. This was 23 years after the first EAC ended. A customs union was signed in March 2004. It began on January 1, 2005. This union means goods from outside the EAC have common taxes.
South Sudan Joins the EAC
After South Sudan became independent in 2011, Kenya and Rwanda invited it to join the EAC. South Sudan was eager to join. It wanted to connect its transport and oil systems with Kenya and Uganda. This would help it rely less on Sudan.
However, South Sudan worried its economy was not strong enough. It feared becoming a "dumping ground" for goods from other EAC countries. Despite this, President Salva Kiir announced South Sudan had applied.
In December 2012, Tanzania agreed to South Sudan's membership. This cleared the way for it to become the sixth member. The EAC set aside money for South Sudan's admission. The process was expected to take at least four years.
In April 2014, South Sudan asked for a delay. This was due to internal conflicts in the country. In October 2015, a committee recommended South Sudan join. South Sudan was finally approved in March 2016. It signed the treaty in April 2016. It officially joined the community on September 5, 2016.
DR Congo Joins the EAC
In 2010, Tanzania wanted the DR Congo to join the EAC. DR Congo applied in June 2019. In June 2021, the EAC started checking if DR Congo was suitable.
In November 2021, ministers recommended DR Congo for membership. In February 2022, the EAC Council of Ministers also recommended it. On March 18, 2022, the EAC Secretary-General confirmed the leaders would approve it.
DR Congo was admitted to the EAC on March 29, 2022. It officially became a member on July 11, 2022. This gave the EAC its first port on the West African coast.
Somalia Joins the EAC
Somalia applied to join the EAC in March 2012. The EAC leaders discussed it in December 2012. They asked the EAC Council to work with Somalia.
In February 2015, the decision was delayed. The verification process had not started. In July 2022, EAC leaders said the process for Somalia should be finished quickly.
In 2023, EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki said Somalia was close to joining. Negotiations for its admission took place from August 22 to September 5. Somalia was admitted to the EAC on November 24, 2023. This made it the eighth member of the group.
EAC Member Countries
| Country | Capital | Accession | Population | Area (km2) | GDP (US$ bn) |
GDP per capita (US$) |
GDP PPP (US$ bn) |
GDP PPP per capita (US$) |
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 Burundi |
Gitega | 2007 | 12,722,976 | 27,834 | 3.4 | 272.4 | 10.8 | 855.6 |
 DR Congo |
Kinshasa | 2022 | 95,944,984 | 2,344,858 | 51.2 | 669.4 | 127.4 | 1,315.9 |
 Kenya |
Nairobi | 2000 | 56,553,921 | 580,367 | 114.7 | 2,252.0 | 308.7 | 6,061.4 |
 Rwanda |
Kigali | 2007 | 13,705,697 | 26,338 | 12.1 | 910.0 | 37.2 | 2,807.6 |
 Somalia |
Mogadishu | 2023 | 18,367,500 | 637,660 | 11.5 | |||
 South Sudan |
Juba | 2016 | 11,501,583 | 644,329 | 5.7 | 392.7 | 13.5 | 927.5 |
 Tanzania |
Dodoma | 2000 | 63,732,235 | 945,087 | 77.5 | 1,260.1 | 206.6 | 3,358.3 |
 Uganda |
Kampala | 2000 | 49,135,753 | 241,550 | 46.4 | 1,060.4 | 129.5 | 2,960.5 |
| 321,764,652 | 5,448,023 | 325 | 1106.3 | 834 | 2841.4 | |||
Future Growth: More Countries Joining the EAC
The EAC might grow even bigger. Several other countries could join in the future.
Angola
Angola has worked closely with DR Congo to help bring peace. Angola is also helping with stability in eastern DR Congo.
Central African Republic
Some EAC countries have helped keep peace in the Central African Republic. If it joins, it could gain economic benefits. This is because of new transport routes and projects.
Comoros
In July 2023, Kenya's President suggested Comoros join the EAC. Comoros and Tanzania share a sea border.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo has strong ties with DR Congo. Its leaders have met with Rwandan and Ugandan leaders. They are working together for peace in eastern DR Congo.
Djibouti
The EAC Secretary General hinted that Djibouti and Ethiopia might join. This would make the EAC market much larger.
Ethiopia
Kenya's President suggested expanding the EAC to include Ethiopia. This would add many more people to the community. Ethiopia's Prime Minister supports regional cooperation. He believes economic integration is key for the region.
Malawi
In 2010, Tanzania wanted Malawi to join the EAC. However, Malawi's Foreign Affairs Minister said there were no formal talks.
Mozambique
Uganda's President hinted at sending an EAC force to Mozambique. This would help fight conflict there. Mozambique has cultural ties with EAC countries. Many people there speak Kiswahili.
Sudan
Sudan applied to join the EAC in 2011. But Tanzania and Uganda strongly opposed it. They pointed to Sudan's lack of a direct border with the EAC. They also mentioned human rights concerns. Sudan's application was rejected in December 2011.
Zambia
In 2010, Tanzania wanted Zambia to join the EAC. Zambia had applied to join in the 1960s. In 2022, Zambia's President said his country was interested in joining an EAC group. This group would negotiate trade deals for oil and farming.
How the EAC is Governed
The EAC has important bodies that help it run.
East African Court of Justice
The East African Court of Justice is the court system of the EAC. It makes sure laws are followed.
East African Legislative Assembly
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the law-making part of the EAC. It has 27 members. These members are chosen by the parliaments of the member countries.
The EALA checks on all the EAC's work. Its jobs include:
- Approving the EAC's budget.
- Discussing issues related to the community.
- Making suggestions to the Council of Ministers.
- Working with national parliaments.
- Setting up committees for different tasks.
Since 2001, the EALA has held many meetings. It has passed important laws. These laws cover regional trade and transport.
EAC Economy and Trade
Why the Customs Union is Important
The customs union is a key part of the EAC. It has three main features:
- A common tax on imports from outside countries.
- No taxes on trade between member countries.
- Shared customs rules.
Different tax rates apply to different goods. Raw materials have 0% tax. Intermediate products have 10% tax. Finished goods have a maximum of 25% tax. This is lower than what some countries had before. However, the customs union is not fully in place yet. There are still some exceptions. Work is also needed to make customs procedures the same.
Some experts believe the customs union will not bring huge income benefits. They think it will mostly shift trade, not create new trade. However, business leaders are more positive. They see long-term benefits in a growing regional market.
New Business Trends in the EAC
Businesses are seeing new ways to grow with the EAC.
- Kenyan companies have adapted to the lower taxes. Fears that they would move to Tanzania or Uganda have not come true.
- Countries are starting to specialize. Basic processing of imports is happening near the coast. Final processing and natural resource activities are moving inland.
- Trade in goods and services has increased. Kenya exports financial services to other EAC countries. Uganda hopes integration will boost its tourism.
- Businesses are focusing on making more profit by working together. They are not relying on protection from taxes.
Trade Talks
The EAC talks with other countries about trade for all its members. In 2014, talks with the European Union faced problems. This caused tension, especially for Kenya. Kenya is not a Least Developed Country, so it had more to lose. The EAC is also talking with the USA about trade and investment.
Reducing Poverty
Many EAC economies have large informal sectors. These are not fully connected to the formal economy. The benefits of the EAC might not reach the poorest people much. This is especially true for those in rural areas.
Informal trade across borders is very important for rural families. The customs union might not greatly reduce barriers for this trade. However, new one-stop border posts are being built. Also, taxes on goods are slowly coming down.
A common market will help some people and hurt others. Many food producers and consumers will benefit. But smugglers and corrupt officials might lose out. More significant changes could come from new investments. These would focus on the region's natural resources.
Common Market for the EAC
On July 1, 2010, the East African Common Market Protocol was launched. This expanded the existing customs union. It allows people, money, goods, and services to move freely within the EAC. Member countries need to change their laws for this to work fully. This might take up to five years.
The Common Market is a step towards a common currency by 2024. It also aims for a full political union later. Kenyan businesses complained in 2011 that the benefits were only on paper. They said trade between Kenya and Tanzania was still hard.
The free movement of people will improve with new "third generation" ID cards. These cards will show people are citizens of their home country and "East Africa." Rwanda already uses these cards. Kenya plans to introduce them soon. The EAC is also working to recognize higher education degrees. They are also trying to make social security benefits similar across the region.
Transport in the EAC
Mombasa has the busiest port in the East African Community. However, a new port called Lamu Port is being built in Kenya. It will be very large. The Bagamoyo Port in Tanzania will also be a huge port.
Future Plans for the EAC
The EAC has big plans for the future.
Single Currency and Political Union
Plans were made in 2004 for a monetary union. This would mean a common currency, the East African shilling. This was planned for between 2012 and 2015. There were also plans for a political union, the East African Federation. This would have a common President and parliament by 2010.
However, some experts thought these plans were too ambitious. They believed many challenges needed to be solved first. In 2013, a plan was signed to launch a monetary union within 10 years. In September 2018, a committee started drafting a regional constitution. In January 2023, the EAC announced plans for a single currency within four years.
Single Tourist Visa
The EAC hoped to have a single tourist visa by November 2006. If approved, it would be valid for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tourists could apply for one visa that would work in all three countries. This would make it easier to promote the region as one tourist destination.
A single East African Tourist Visa for Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda has been available since 2014.
People and Languages of the EAC
Population of the EAC
As of March 2022, the EAC had over 329 million people. If it were one country, it would have the fourth largest population in the world.
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Largest population centres of the East African Community
According to the most recent Censuses and Estimates
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| Rank | City name | State | Pop. | Rank | City name | State | Pop. | ||
 Kinshasa |
1 | Kinshasa | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 15,628,000 | 11 | Mwanza | Tanzania | 1,245,000 |  Nairobi |
| 2 | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | 7,405,000 | 12 | Kigali | Rwanda | 1,208,000 | ||
| 3 | Nairobi | Kenya | 5,119,000 | 13 | Bukavu | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,190,000 | ||
| 4 | Kampala | Uganda | 3,652,000 | 14 | Bujumbura | Burundi | 1,139,000 | ||
| 5 | Mbuji-Mayi | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2,765,000 | 15 | Hargeisa | Somalia | 1,098,000 | ||
| 6 | Lubumbashi | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2,695,000 | 16 | Tshikapa | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,024,000 | ||
| 7 | Mogadishu | Somalia | 2,541,000 | 17 | Bunia | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 768,000 | ||
| 8 | Kananga | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,593,000 | 18 | Zanzibar | Tanzania | 766,000 | ||
| 9 | Mombassa | Kenya | 1,389,000 | 19 | Merca | Somalia | 740,000 | ||
| 10 | Kisangani | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,366,000 | 20 | Goma | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 707,000 | ||
The EAC has 16 cities with over one million people. Kinshasa is the largest. About 20% of the EAC's population lives in cities.
Religions in the EAC
Religions in the EAC Christianity (76.04%) Islam (14.06%) Other (Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) (4.6%) Traditional African religions, Animism (4.24%) No religion/Unspecified (1.6%)
Languages in the EAC
The official languages of the EAC are Kiswahili, English, and French. Kiswahili is being developed as the main common language. DR Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi use French as an official language.
Many local languages are also spoken. For example, Uganda has 56 local languages. Tanzania has 125. Kinyarwanda is spoken in Rwanda and Uganda. DR Congo has over 200 local languages. Lingala and Kiswahili are widely spoken there.
East African Passport
The East African passport was launched on April 1, 1999. It makes it easier for EAC residents to cross borders. This passport is only for travel within EAC countries. It allows holders to stay for six months, which can be renewed.
The passport is issued in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Only East African citizens can apply for it. It costs about US$10. It usually takes two to three weeks to get. The EAC is also discussing making this passport valid for international travel.
Other steps to ease border crossing include interstate passes. These started on July 1, 2003. There is also a single immigration card. The EAC is also working on common rules for work permits.
EAC Leaders
Chairman of the EAC
| Period | Chairman |
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| 2012–2013 |  Yoweri Museveni |
| 2013–2015 |  Uhuru Kenyatta |
| 2015–2017 |  John Magufuli |
| 2017–2019 | Yoweri Museveni |
| 2019–2021 |  Paul Kagame |
| 2021–2022 | Uhuru Kenyatta |
| 2022-2023 | Évariste Ndayishimiye |
| 2023- | Salva Kiir Mayardit |
Secretaries-General of the EAC
| Period | Secretary-General |
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| 2000–2001 | Francis Muthaura |
| 2001–2006 | Amanya Mushega |
| 2006–2011 | Juma Mwapachu |
| 2011–2016 | Richard Sezibera |
| 2016–2021 | Libérat Mfumukeko |
| 2021–present | Peter Mathuki |
Images for kids
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Kinshasa, DR Congo
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Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Nairobi, Kenya
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Kampala, Uganda
See also
- East African Federation
- EAC Railway Masterplan
- East African Community Treaty
- Economy of Africa
- List of Trade blocs
- Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
- Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- Rules of Origin
- Market access
- Free-trade area
- Tariffs
