The East African Community (EAC) has presented a proposal for an annual budget of USD 111 million aimed at strengthening regional integration and supporting its operational activities across member states.The announcement was made as part of the bloc’s ongoing efforts to deepen economic cooperation and improve coordination among East African countries.

The EAC, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, brings together eight member states including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.

This makes it one of the most significant regional economic blocs in Africa, serving a population of over 300 million people with a steadily growing combined GDP.

According to the proposal, the budget will be allocated to key priority areas such as cross-border trade facilitation, implementation of common market protocols, harmonisation of investment policies, and strengthening regional security cooperation.

A portion of the funds will also go towards administrative functions and maintaining institutional frameworks that keep the organisation running smoothly.

Infrastructure development remains a central focus, with planned support for railway networks, road corridors, and energy interconnections designed to reduce transport costs and boost intra-regional trade.Member states are expected to contribute to the budget based on their economic size and GDP capacity.

However, the report notes that timely contributions have historically been a challenge, especially for ensuring full funding from all member countries.Kenya and Tanzania, being the largest economies in the bloc, are likely to bear a significant share of the financial responsibility.The EAC also aims to reduce reliance on external donors and move towards financial self-sustainability.

The proposed budget will be reviewed by the Council of Ministers before final approval, after which it will guide the organisation’s activities for the fiscal year.Observers emphasize that transparency and accountability will be key to ensuring the funds deliver real benefits to citizens across the region.