President Paul Kagame speaks on East Africa Integration And Infrastructure

President Paul Kagame speaks on East Africa Integration And Infrastructure
Certainly! Infrastructure plays a crucial role in regional integration and economic development. Let’s explore the state of infrastructure in East Africa:
Infrastructure in the East African Community (EAC):
The EAC comprises eight Partner States: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania. Its headquarters are in Arusha, Tanzania1.
Infrastructure is a critical enabler for successful regional integration. It facilitates trade, agriculture, tourism, and the movement of labor and resources.
The EAC focuses on several sub-sectors within infrastructure:
Roads
Railways
Aviation
Communications
Inland waterways
The Treaty for the establishment of the EAC emphasizes the importance of basic infrastructure provision by the Partner States as an operational principle of the Community. It calls for cooperation in infrastructure and services, including harmonization of regulatory laws, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, and review of intermodal transport systems.
The EAC operates five modes of transport systems: road, rail, maritime, air transport, and oil pipeline. These systems are vital for regional connectivity, attracting investment, and promoting trade.
Tripartite Agreements have been reached to regulate inland waterways transport, particularly across Lake Victoria, benefiting neighboring landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo1.
East Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper (EA-RISP) 2023-2027:
The African Development Bank Group prepared the EA-RISP to deepen regional integration and transform the continent’s economies.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, ratified by 24 countries, came into force, emphasizing the importance of regional integration2.
Challenges and Progress:
Ongoing infrastructure challenges in East Africa include water, sanitation, energy, surface transport, and ICT.
Recent studies and new data evaluate the progress made to date in addressing these challenges.
In summary, infrastructure development is pivotal for East Africa’s growth, connectivity, and economic prosperity. By fostering cooperation and investing in key sectors, the region can continue its journey toward greater integration and sustainable development.
#PaulKagame #PresidentPaulKagamespeaks #paulkagamespeaches
#DRCONGO