- Country or region
- African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP)East African Community (EAC)
- Trade topics
- Economic PartnershipsNegotiations and agreementsTrade policy
The East African Community (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) finalised the negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU on 16 October 2014.
Kenya and Rwanda signed the EPA in September 2016, and Kenya has ratified it. For the EPA to enter into force, the three remaining EAC members need to sign and ratify the agreement.
South Sudan became the sixth member of the EAC in September 2016.
The European Commission submitted a proposal for conclusion, signature and provisional application of the full EPA with the East African Community to the Council in February 2016.
Upon the request of Kenya and based on the EAC Summit decision of February 2021 to move forward under 'variable geometry', the EU and Kenya are currently discussing the bilateral implementation of the EAC EPA, with the addition of Trade and Sustainable Development provisions.
Trade picture
- Exports to the EU from the East African Community are mainly coffee, cut flowers, tea, tobacco, fish and vegetables.
- Imports from the EU into the region are dominated by machinery and mechanical appliances, equipment and parts, vehicles and pharmaceutical products.
The EU and the East African Community
Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are on the UN’s list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), while Kenya is a non-LDC.
The countries in the East African Community are members of the WTO with the exception of South Sudan.
The EU-EAC EPA covers trade in goods and development cooperation. It also contains a chapter on fisheries, mainly to reinforce cooperation on the sustainable use of resources. The agreement provides for further negotiations on services and trade-related rules in the future.
The deal is in line with the EAC Common External Tariff. It bans unjustified or discriminatory restrictions on imports and exports. This helps the EAC's efforts to get rid of non-tariff barriers in intra-EAC trade.
Trading with the East African Community
- Importing into the EU from the East African Community
- EU trade defence measures on imports from the East African Community
- Exporting from the EU to the East African Community
- Trade relations are part of the EU's overall political and economic relations with Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda
Latest news
Commission reports on ninth negotiation round with five Eastern and Southern African countries to deepen existing EPA
The European Commission has published the report summarising progress made during the latest negotiation round to deepen the existing Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with five Eastern and Southern African partners.
EU and Kenya advance talks on interim Economic Partnership Agreement with sustainability provisions
The EU and Kenya agreed today to advance negotiations on an interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA). This important agreement will enhance trade and investment opportunities and help boost sustainable economic growth and job creation.
EU and Republic of Kenya launch strategic dialogue
The European Commission welcomes the launch of the Strategic Dialogue between the EU and the Republic of Kenya, agreed on 21 June 2021.