President Paul Kagame met Friday with Veronica M. Nduva, secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC), to discuss strengthening regional trade, cooperation, and initiatives supporting shared development among member states.
The talks coincided with a two-day EAC meeting in Kigali reviewing progress on regional integration. Rwanda has been a member of the EAC for 19 years, during which it has actively participated in initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and unity among member countries.
Key regional projects include efforts to promote peace collectively, ease the movement of goods across borders without customs duties, and implement measures such as the EAC Common Market and regional passport. These initiatives are designed to facilitate trade, travel, and interaction among citizens, reinforcing a sense of community and shared prosperity.
“Regional integration benefits all citizens,” Kagame said, emphasizing the importance of collaborative approaches to economic growth and development.
According to 2025 statistics, the EAC has an estimated population of 302 million people, spanning Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Somalia. Leaders continue to prioritize projects that improve cross-border trade, harmonize regulations, and strengthen social and economic ties among member states.
The meeting highlights Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to EAC objectives and its role in fostering regional unity, stability, and sustainable development.
