Who We Are

The East African Business Council (EABC) is the apex advocacy body of private sector associations and corporates from the 7 East African Community (EAC) Partner States (Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan). Established in 1997, EABC strives for excellence and is the most renowned regional platform for businesses to present barriers to trade & investments and jointly chart out solutions to ease the cost of doing business, drive growth on intra-regional trade and investments and advance reforms for a diversified, competitive, export-led, integrated and sustainable economy in East Africa. EABC’s raison d’être is to seek change in public policy in order to enhance a conducive environment for business in the EAC.

Our Mandate

The East African Business Council has Observer Status at the East African Community level this offers an authentic avenue to present and articulate the private sector agenda and Concerns to the EAC Council of Minister and the Summit of the Heads of State in a bid to inform policy decisions to facilitate trade and investments. The EABC is also accredited as the champion and Voice of the Private Sector in the EAC Consultative Dialogue Framework approved by the EAC Council of Ministers in 2012 and organizes CEOs Forum with the EAC Secretary-General for the speedy resolution of trade to barriers

Our Mission

To advocate for conducive business environment and promote sustainable private sector driven growth in the EAC region

Our Vision

Borderless East Africa for business and investment

Our Values

  • Transparency 

  • Integrity 

  • Good governance

  • Respect for the rule of law

  • Equal opportunities 

  • Diverse workforce

  • Financial probity 

Our Strategic Edge

  • Expertise in EAC cross border trade & investment matters

  • EABC is a regional multi-sectoral private sector association with Observer Status in EAC Policy Formulation & Negotiations from Technical, Ministerial to Presidential Summit levels 

  • Over 100K business networks in East Africa 

Our Strategic Pillars

Business Environment

Engage all levels of government to support and enable future growth of an inclusive private sector by advocating for policy and legislation, fostering public-private partnerships 

Engage key stakeholders including government, business, academia and civil society in developing a holistic approach to growth synergy model for sustainable private sector development. 

Create value for each member and build broader and deeper understanding of members’ objectives to better serve their needs  

Build support from the community on the social and economic role played by the EAC private sector and improve visibility of EABC’s advocacy drives 

Strengthening the roles and responsibilities of the EABC organs and institutions in the realization of the Council’s mandate  

  • Trade in Services 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Agriculture 
  • Infrastructure & Energy   
  • Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) & Youth  
  • Women in Businesses Platform  
Download the EABC Commemorative Journal

What We Do

Join EABC Membership and enjoy the following benefits

Advocacy

  • Research for evidence-based advocacy on policy development and implementation 
  • High-level public-private dialogues with Ministers and Heads of State 
  • Inclusion of Private Sector positions in the EAC Policy formulations 
  • Joint Formulation of Annual EABC Policy Advocacy Agenda 
  • Direct Support & Intervention by EABC Officers on trade concerns i.e. NTBs, trade & business restrictions inconsistent with EAC commitments/agreement  

Capacity Building

  • Capacity building for EABC members on trade opportunities in EAC, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreements and other global developments  

Business & Market Information

  • Advisory services, analysis and market intelligence on regulatory developments in the EAC  
  • Newsletter on trade & investment updates in EAC and beyond 

Business 2 Business Networking

  • Business to Business linkages and networking  
  • Trade missions and exhibitions 
  • Study tours & Industrial visits 
  • East Africa Business Directory 
  • Discounted rate for EABC flagship events and publications