Arusha, Tanzania, 24th November 2025, PwC Kenya and PwCTanzania, led by Mr Job Kabochi, Partner/Director and Head of Tax at PwC Kenya, Mr Joseph Lyimo, Partner and Indirect Tax Leader at PwC Tanzania, and Maurice Mwaniki, Associate Director, Indirect Tax at PwC Kenya, paid a courtesy visit to the East African Business Council (EABC) to discuss areas of strategic partnerships.
Mr Adrian Njau, EABC Executive Director, expressed his appreciation to PwC for their unwavering collaboration and partnership, particularly in co-organising the Pre- and Post-Budget Webinars on Implications of the EAC Tax Measures on Regional Trade and Investment.
He highlighted that, within the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union, harmonisation of domestic taxes remains essential to facilitate predictable, efficient, and business-friendly Intra-EAC Trade. Mr Njau emphasised the urgent need for Partner States to align the interpretation and application of the EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill 2025, which has already been passed by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and now awaits the assent of the EAC Heads of State.
He further noted that the implementation of the Common External Tariff (CET) is currently undermined, with an estimated 40 percent distortion resulting from frequent use of the Stay of Application and Specific Duty Remission schemes. Mr Njau called on all Partner States to fully implement commitments outlined in the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
The EABC and PwC agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and partnership in a bid to improve the regional business environment.
- Other key areas of discussion included:
- Avoidance of double taxation
- Liberalisation of the professional services (MRAs)
- Expediting the review of the EAC Rules of Origin (RoO)
- Addressing discriminatory taxes, particularly excise duties
- Ratification of the amendment of Article 24(2) of the Customs Union Protocol on the formation of the EAC
- Trade Remedies Committee
- Mutual recognition of quality marks across Partner States
