EAC Calls for Stronger Regional Collaboration to Unlock MSME Growth and Expand Trade Opportunities
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th November, 2026 — The East African Community (EAC) has called for stronger regional collaboration and the development of regional value chains to unlock the productive potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), expand intra-regional trade and enhance access to continental and international markets.
The call was made during the official opening of the 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda, where the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, underscored the critical role of MSMEs in job creation, innovation and economic development, particularly for women and young people. He, however, noted that enterprises across the region continue to face challenges, including limited access to affordable finance and markets, as well as the high costs associated with cross-border trade.
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