East African Civil Society Summit Unveils Critical Regional Integration Challenges
The 2025 East African Civil Society Organisations Summit has highlighted significant obstacles threatening regional development and cooperation across the East African Community (EAC).
Key challenges identified include persistent non-tariff barriers hampering cross-border trade, which substantially increase business costs and disproportionately impact small and informal traders. Corruption and illicit financial flows continue to undermine economic progress, diverting critical resources from essential public services like healthcare and infrastructure.
The summit, attended by over 200 civil society leaders, government officials, and stakeholders from EAC partner states, emphasized the urgent need to address shrinking civic spaces. Increasing incidents of journalist intimidation, human rights defender harassment, and restrictive election monitoring are eroding regional democratic principles.
Technological disparities emerged as another critical concern, with significant digital divides preventing meaningful economic participation, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Weak telecommunications infrastructure and uncoordinated digital governance are exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities.
Peace and security challenges were prominently discussed, with participants calling for accelerated cross-border cooperation and enhanced early warning systems to prevent potential conflicts. The extractive sector also faced scrutiny, with delegates demanding increased transparency and robust community protection mechanisms.
The summit concluded by urging EAC member states to implement comprehensive reforms addressing these interconnected challenges, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, transparent governance in achieving sustainable regional integration.
