Advertisement
EAC warns partner states against backtracking on common market freedoms
31st July, 2025 11:41 PM
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has formally cautioned partner states against withdrawing or restricting commitments made under the Common Market Protocol.
This came after Tanzania banned foreigners from operating 15 specified small-scale business activities.
In an official letter dated Thursday, July 31, 2025, EAC Secretary Veronica M. Nduva said that since the adoption of the EAC Common Market Protocol, partner states had committed to fostering regional integration by removing barriers to trade, services, and investment.
She went on to say that they had also agreed to refrain from introducing unilateral measures that would hinder the free movement and establishment rights of citizens and businesses across the region
“East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 31st July, 2025: The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat wishes to address recent developments regarding restrictions on the freedoms and rights under the EAC Common Market Protocol,” Nduva said.
“Since the adoption of the EAC Common Market Protocol, partner states have committed to fostering regional integration by removing barriers to trade, services, and investment, and to refrain from introducing unilateral measures that hinder the free movement and establishment rights of citizens and businesses across the region.”
Additionally, she stated that the Protocol explicitly emphasised that partner states shall not reverse or restrict sectors and trades they had previously liberalised, as outlined in Annexeβ―V of the EAC Common Market Schedule of Commitment on the progressive liberalisation of services.
“The Protocol explicitly emphasises that partner states shall not reverse or restrict sectors and trades they have previously liberalised, as outlined in Annexe V of the EAC Common Market Schedule of Commitment on the progressive liberalisation of services, “Nduva stated.
EAC on backtracking
Nduva emphasised that it was important to remind all partner states that any unilateral backtracking on commitments under the protocol was inconsistent with their obligations.
She added that this position had been reaffirmed by the Attorneys General through the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Matters in Novemberβ―2024.
“It is important to remind all partner states that unilateral backtracking on these commitments is inconsistent with the obligations under the protocol. This was reaffirmed by the Attorneys General through the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Matters in November 2024,” she added.
Additionally, all partner states were encouraged to adhere to the obligations they had committed to to maintain the integrity of the regional single market.
Nduva further explained that the Secretariat was currently undertaking an analysis of the extent of compliance with those obligations and would present any identified inconsistent measures by partner states at the upcoming meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment.
“All partner states are encouraged to adhere to the obligations they have committed to in order to maintain the integrity of our regional single market. The Secretariat is currently undertaking an analysis of the extent of compliance to obligations and will present any identified inconsistent measures by partner states at the upcoming meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment,” she stated.
“The EAC remains committed to fostering a seamless regional integration process and calls on all partner states to uphold the principles enshrined in the establishing treaty and common market protocol.”
