The East African Community (EAC) is taking significant steps to enhance the safety and trustworthiness of online shopping and business transactions across the region.A high-level Knowledge Exchange Mission to Geneva and Belgrade has gathered global best practices to address challenges in cross-border e-commerce.

The initiative, part of the EU-EAC DEEP Programme, aims to create trusted digital marketplaces by harmonizing legal frameworks and promoting regional integration.Experts from UNCTAD and WTO highlighted the need for adaptive regulations to tackle issues like AI risks, data privacy, and digital product safety.

The EAC plans to implement trust mechanisms, such as 'trust seals,' to verify online businesses, enabling seamless transactions between Partner States like Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.

This effort seeks to boost consumer confidence, expand digital opportunities, and strengthen regional economic ties through secure payment systems and improved logistics.