MWE Correspondent
East African Community (EAC) member states are meeting in Dar es Salaam to address persistent challenges and barriers affecting trade across the region, with a major focus on eliminating non-tariff barriers (NTBs).
The expert-level meeting is part of efforts to implement directives issued by the 25th EAC Heads of State Summit held in Arusha on March 7, 2026.
The summit directed Partner States to take urgent measures to eliminate all reported non-tariff barriers to trade within the Community by June 30, 2026.
The meeting is also reviewing the implementation of directives from the Second Special Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers of Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA), held on November 25, 2025.
The SCFEA directed Partner States to remove internal taxes, duties, levies and other charges that discriminate against products from other EAC member states, in line with Articles 10 and 15 of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
Partner States were also directed to review and amend interpretations of certain provisions in their domestic laws to ensure compliance with EAC agreements.
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Among the key issues on the agenda is an assessment of the performance of One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), which are designed to simplify and speed up border clearance procedures.
The meeting will further consider an Action Plan for resolving challenges affecting businesses across the Community, together with a schedule for implementing the proposed measures.
Participants are also expected to review the EAC Non-Tariff Barriers Index, an important tool for identifying, monitoring and measuring progress made by Partner States in addressing obstacles to regional trade.
The measures are aimed at strengthening implementation of the EAC Common Market, which provides for the movement of goods, persons, services and capital, as well as the right of establishment and residence within Partner States.
The EAC says removing non-tariff barriers and simplifying border procedures can help reduce the time and cost of doing business, improve competition and increase intra-regional trade.
The Dar es Salaam meeting is expected to produce recommendations and specific implementation measures aimed at accelerating the removal of trade barriers, improving border efficiency and strengthening economic integration within the region.
The Tanzanian delegation at the expert-level meeting is led by Benjamin Mwesiga, Director of Trade, Investment and Production Sectors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
He is accompanied by senior officials from the ministry and representatives of various government institutions.
