Is East Africa on the path to successful regional integration? This question is central to the recent mission conducted by the African Development Bank Group, which evaluated its East Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper (EA-RISP 2023-2027) and the effectiveness of the regional portfolio set to unfold by 2025. The results of this mission are vital for the future of regional collaboration.
Bringing together key players, the Bank’s mission aimed not only at assessing the progress of ongoing strategies but also at pinpointing better ways to work together with regional stakeholders. The objective is clear: enhance both the impact and the sustainability of current operations while laying a robust foundation for future initiatives.
Led by Bubacarr Sankareh, the East Africa Lead Operations Advisor, the delegation engaged in discussions with influential organizations. These included the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and various regional economic bodies such as the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. They also met with representatives from the Eastern Africa Power Pool and business organizations like the East African Business Council and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During these meetings, crucial development challenges were tabled that currently impede effective regional integration. “The primary obstacle we face is the sluggish pace of structural transformation,” Sankareh noted, emphasizing that this delay hampers crucial aspects such as trade enhancement, decent job creation, inclusive growth, and poverty alleviation within the region.
To address these pressing developmental issues, the RISP was crafted to align with the Bank’s overall strategic framework, the development objectives of member countries in the region, and the African Union’s ambitious Agenda 2063.
Functioning as a regional programming instrument, the RISP serves as a roadmap for the Bank’s interventions aimed at fostering integration across East Africa. It emphasizes two main areas: boosting regional infrastructure—particularly in energy, transport, and ICT connectivity—and developing regional value chains to spur trade.
The current iteration of the RISP has already led to significant infrastructure initiatives, such as the first phase of the Tanzania–Burundi–DRC Standard Gauge Railway, the Burundi–Rwanda Integrated Development Project, and the Comoros Maritime Corridor Development and Trade Facilitation Project. All of these projects strive to enhance transport connectivity, promote trade, and facilitate deeper economic integration across East Africa. Furthermore, the Bank has extended its support through technical assistance and policy discussions with regional institutions, showcasing its flexibility and commitment to advancing regional priorities.
Adrian Njau, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the East Africa Business Council, praised the Bank's contributions to developing regional infrastructure in energy and transport as well as enhancing trade facilitation and value chain growth. He remarked, “These initiatives have significantly contributed to fostering regional integration, led to reduced business costs, and improved the competitiveness of products within the region.”
As of June 2025, the Bank's multinational engagement in East Africa constituted 36.6% of its commitment to the region, encompassing 107 projects valued at $6.3 billion. Since 2023, this portfolio has expanded by $1.3 billion, largely propelled by investments in transportation, social sectors, multi-sectoral initiatives, and environmental projects.
This mission proved to be an invaluable opportunity for reflection, allowing the team to assimilate lessons learned, define priorities for the remaining duration of strategy implementation, and pinpoint areas that require enhancements. The delegation included notable figures such as Eva Ruganzu, Manager of the East Africa Implementation Support Division; Samuel Kamara, Chief Regional Program Coordinator; Patrick Kanyimbo, Chief Regional Integration Coordinator; and Emmanuel Nyirinkwaya, Regional Fragility and Resilience Officer, alongside an Independent Evaluation team conducting case studies to extract broader insights relevant to the Bank’s regional integration strategic framework.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is the existing pace of structural transformation sufficient to meet the needs of the region? Are we doing enough to overcome the hurdles to integration? What do you think? Share your views in the comments below!
