16 November 2025 

The Minister of State for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has urged the eight East African Community Partner States to remove all the existing nontariff barriers and allow unhindered trade amongst themselves.

Mbadi was speaking during the Uganda Day celebrations at the 25th EAC Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) trade fair at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya.

In his remarks, Gen. Mbadi said it is regrettable that EAC Partner States still suffer from non-tariff barriers to trade. The reason why the inter-regional trade in EAC is only 20%, compared to 46% in Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) and 65% for the European Union.

“If we can not promote trade amongst ourselves, how can we benefit from the African Continental Free Trade,” exclaimed Mbadi

He urged the EAC Partner States to focus on the commitments stipulated in the East African Treaty, especially Article 7 (c), which calls for the establishment of an export led economy in which there shall be free movement of goods, persons, labor, services, capital, informational, and technology.

He added that MSMEs should be able to trade freely within EAC without any hindrance, which is one of the ways of promoting the spirit of oneness.

The Secretary General of EAC Veronica Nduva called for the strengthening of the environment in which the MSMEs operate, saying, as EAC, they are committed to fa imitate trade and make it easier.

“Let us support one another, enhance our value chains, remove the barriers, and trade effectively amongst ourselves,” said Nduva.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development in Kenya Hon. Susan Auma Mangeni said, “Going forward, East Africans should focus on gaining entry into the global market in Africa and beyond.”

“Although it is good to trade amongst ourselves, we should also support our MSMEs to participate in the global trade”

Mangeni presented a proposal to organize the EAC MSMEs Trade fair before the EAC Heads of State summit so that the outcomes and resolutions of the trade fair are made known to the EAC leaders and form part of the agenda of the summit.

The Principal Secretary for the Kenya State Department for Trade in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Regina Ombam challenged MSMEs in the region to work towards growing to become large enterprises and not to remain small. She urged the governments of the eight Partner States to make deliberate efforts to grow MSMEs through financing, capacity building, infrastructure development, and open borders, among others.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Committee for EAC Affairs Hon. James Nsababuturo asked the EAC leaders to prioritize adding value to the vast natural resources that God gave Africa instead of allowing the developed countries to take advantage of them.

The Chairperson of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises (CMSEO) Uganda Chapter Bbira Bbosa said 305 Ugandan exhibitors participated in this year’s EAC MSMEs Expo, showcasing a variety of products ranging from agricultural, dairy, art and crafts, textile, leather among others.

Bbosa urged every host Partner State of this Expo to do enough publicity for the event for the benefit of the exhibitors.

Paul Ainebyona from Pearl of Africa Cheese in Kyankwanzi district says the Nairobi Expo was a good platform to network with potential buyers from the other 7 EAC Partner States and a good exposure for their company.

“I have sold most of the cheese I came with, and I have engaged with potential customers who have made orders from us,” said Ainebyona.

Organized under the theme “25 years of EAC Integration; Advancing Innovations and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs Towards Sustainable Development,” this year’s Expo attracted more than 3,000 exhibitors from the eight EAC Partner States.