Nairobi, Kenya: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – The East African Business Council (EABC), in partnership with GIZ under the Leveraging Integration Frameworks for Trade in Services and Civil Society Organizations in the EAC (LIFTED) programme, has commenced a two-day National Dialogue Consultative Meeting to develop a trade-in-services policy advocacy agenda and establish mechanisms for sustained dialogue on the liberalization of services trade within the East African Community (EAC).
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Adrian Njau, Acting Executive Director of the EABC, Mr. Geoffrey Kamanzi, Policy Manager for Trade in Services, urged business leaders to champion efforts to unlock the full potential of the services sector as a driver of economic growth in the region. He commended GIZ for partnering with the EABC to enhance the capacity of the EAC private sector to leverage opportunities under liberalized trade in services, both within the region and through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Kamanzi highlighted that the services sector contributes between 40% and 55% of the region’s GDP, presenting immense potential for sustainable development, investment, and job creation. However, despite commitments made under the EAC Common Market Protocol (CMP) and the AfCFTA, challenges such as regulatory barriers and market fragmentation continue to hinder its full realization.
Services remain a key contributor to GDP in EAC Partner States, accounting for 55.5% of Kenya’s GDP in 2023 and over 40% in other EAC Partner States. To fully realize the benefits of liberalized trade in services, EAC Partner States must align their domestic laws with their commitments under the CMP and the revised schedule of commitments for progressive liberalization of trade in services (EABC 2nd Edition Barometer on Trade in Services). Read the full report here:
Mr. Lamech Wesonga, Economic Policy Advisor on AfCFTA for EAC-GIZ, emphasized the crucial role of trade in services in strengthening EAC economies. He reaffirmed GIZ’s commitment to supporting private sector engagement with governments in advancing a robust policy advocacy agenda for increased trade in services within the EAC.
Mr. David Etyang, from the EAC Secretariat, reiterated the EAC’s dedication to supporting the private sector in enhancing trade in services and encouraged the EABC to maintain momentum in pushing for the effective implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol.
Hon. Nancy Abisai, former EALA Member and Director of Ossix Technology, reiterated the importance of public-private dialogue for the full implementation of the Common Market Protocol.
This National Dialogue Consultative Meeting is the first in a series of similar engagements planned across all EAC Partner States. The dialogue convened key service sector stakeholders, including representatives from business services (professional services), communication and ICT services, tourism, transport, distribution, and environmental services.
