This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
As the East African Community (EAC) prepares for its 21st Summit in November, the fate of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union hangs in the balance. The agreement, which stalled in 2016, has left the EU guessing about the EAC's intentions.
According to sources, Tanzania had raised concerns about the EPA during the last EAC Summit in February, citing the need for further clarification from Brussels. The EAC heads of state gave Tanzania four months to address these concerns, which were reportedly clarified before the end of the period.
However, the European Commission claims to have received no response from Tanzania or the EAC Secretariat, despite Brussels' efforts to schedule a technical meeting to address any remaining misunderstandings.
As a result, the EAC appears to have secured a favorable trade arrangement with the EU, guaranteeing market access for all its member states. Kenya, in particular, has not pursued a different trade regime, opting instead to maintain the current status quo.
