Germany and the East African Community

East African Community

The East African Community (EAC) was originally founded 1967, but it collapsed in 1977. 1999 Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda signed a treaty to re-establish the Community which was then finally revived when this treaty came into force on July 7^th, 2000. Since the establishment of the Community the member states have undertaken ambitious steps on their way to form a common market. The ultimate goal of the EAC is the launch of a common currency and the formation of a political foundation.

In 2007 Burundi and Rwanda joined the EAC. A number of neighbouring states have voiced their interests in joining the EAC in the near future.

EAC

Germany and the EAC – Strong partners

From the beginning Germany has supported the integration process politically and through various programmes and projects conducted by German development organisations. In 2007 the German  programmes on economic policy and integration werebundled into one GIZ project called the “Support to the EAC Integration Process".

However, Germanyis not just supporting the economic integration process. Germanyhas contributed a total of 14 million Euros to the new headquarters building in Arusha. Furthermore Germany has launched a "Peace and Security Programme" aiming to prevent the spread of small arms in the region and fostering the EAC's Secretariat for Peace and Security. Additionally the harmonisation of standardisation, quality assurance, metrology and testing is supported through the National Metrology Institute of Germany.

In 2011 the next step in strengthening the partnership was taken when German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Guido Westerwelle appointed Ambassador Klaus-Peter Brandes as Germany's Special Representative to the EAC.

German Support to the EAC

Ambassador Brandes appointed Special Representative

Building a common future - German architects design new EAC Headquarters

Designed by the German architects ARCHIS ARCHITECTS the EAC Headquarters Construction project entails constructing a complex covering a total area of 14,925 m2, comprising of three twin buildings of 4-storeys each. It shall comprise of simple and free flowing buildings combining tradition and modernity that conforms to the environmentally friendly Arusha suburbs. Germanyhas contributed a total of 14 million Euros to the new building.

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EAC Information Research Centre launched

Germany supports strongly the integration process in East Africa. Ambassador Klaus-Peter Brandes launched jointly with Dr. Abdulla Saadalla, Tanzanian Deputy Minister for East African Cooperation the new EAC Information Research Centre in Dar es Salaam. The Centre will provide the civil society and the EAC citizens a central access point to all information related to the EAC.

• Speech by German Ambassador [pdf, 65,92k]
• Visit the EAC digital database

Former President Köhler visits EAC

Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera Thursday hosted former German President Professor Dr. Horst Koehler at a round table discussion in Arusha, where he reaffirmed the Community's desire to have the Protocol establishing the Monetary Union signed on time.

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Reporting on Regional Integration

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has rolled out a one-week training course in Arusha, Tanzania, for journalists based in the EAC Partner States. The programme aims at enhancing journalists' understanding of the concept of regional integration in general and of the history, organs, institutions and policies of the EAC in particular thus improving the quality of reporting on EAC matters within the region.

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