Businesses across East Africa could gain access to wider markets and more customers as the East African Community (EAC) steps up efforts to strengthen e-commerce and simplify cross-border digital trade.
The initiative aims to help entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) sell their products beyond national borders by addressing barriers such as inadequate digital infrastructure, fragmented consumer protection rules, unreliable payment systems and limited access to digital skills.
The measures were discussed at the EAC Regional E-Commerce Engagement Platform meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 13 to 15, 2026. Partner States also considered ways to accelerate implementation of the regional E-Commerce Strategy and prepare for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade.
Chris Matsiko, a Commercial Officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and chairperson of the meeting, said e-commerce offers significant opportunities to expand market access, facilitate cross-border trade and enable small businesses to participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.
However, he noted that these benefits would depend on coordinated efforts to address gaps in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, logistics, payment systems, digital skills and consumer protection. Matsiko also emphasised the need for reliable data to guide policy decisions and track progress in implementing the regional strategy.
As part of these efforts, Partner States reviewed and updated baseline data used in the monitoring and evaluation tool for the EAC E-Commerce Strategy. The updates drew on recommendations from national e-commerce engagement meetings held between September and October 2026.
The exercise is expected to improve the quality and availability of data for measuring progress, identifying implementation gaps and informing policy decisions. Beyond infrastructure and market access, the meeting highlighted the need to strengthen consumer confidence in online transactions, particularly those involving buyers and sellers in different countries.
Participants drew lessons from the Knowledge Exchange Forum on Building Trust in E-Commerce, held in Switzerland and Serbia in July 2026, and identified priority areas for regional action. These include harmonising consumer protection frameworks, strengthening online dispute resolution mechanisms and promoting initiatives that make digital transactions more secure and reliable.
They also called for stronger dialogue between governments and the private sector to support a secure, transparent and business-friendly regional e-commerce environment. These measures are intended to address concerns that can discourage consumers and businesses from engaging in online trade across national borders.
Gordon Kalema, the project manager of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), said digital trade could deepen regional integration and create new market opportunities for East African businesses.
He cited the growth in intra-EAC trade, which increased from USD 1.6 billion in 2005 to USD 19.65 billion in 2025, as an indication of the region’s expanding trade opportunities. Kalema said e-commerce could build on this growth by enabling businesses to reach more customers, access new markets and participate more actively in regional trade.
Partner States also reviewed progress in implementing the EAC E-Commerce Strategy and discussed measures to improve coordination and accelerate its implementation.
The EAC is pursuing these objectives through EARDIP, a World Bank-financed initiative designed to strengthen digital connectivity and integration across Eastern Africa.
The project supports the expansion of regional broadband infrastructure, harmonisation of data governance frameworks, stronger cybersecurity, improved interoperability of digital payment systems and the growth of cross-border e-commerce. It also aims to strengthen the legal and regulatory environment for digital trade while supporting digital skills development and institutional capacity-building.
Through these interventions, the EAC seeks to create a more connected and secure regional digital market where businesses and consumers can access services, conduct transactions and participate in the digital economy across national borders-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
