$1.2bn support for East African trade

Trade with East Africa has received a boost through the announcement by the World Bank that it is to provide US$1.2 billion to support infrastructure development and improve the competitiveness of the East African Community (EAC) states. “We will also invest in specific transport links to better connect landlocked countries (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan) to the Northern and Central corridors, this way improving these countries’ access to the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam,” said Philippe Dongier, World Bank country director for Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda, during a EAC Heads of State retreat in Nairobi over the November 29 weekend. The World Bank is already supporting the EAC’s regional integration agenda with investments of $2.3 million in 17 regional projects in priority sectors. These range from roads and railways to livestock development and health.