By KPC Reporter
The East African Community (EAC) Partner States have adopted a new five-year regional strategy aimed at advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, child welfare, disability inclusion, social protection and community development.
The landmark decision was made during the inaugural Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Social Affairs held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from July 2 to 7, 2026, and will affect the entire region.
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The meeting also approved the EAC Social Protection Policy and Action Plan, the Revised EAC Youth Policy (2026), regional guidelines on early childhood development, and competency standards for domestic workers.
The adopted measures are expected to provide a unified framework for coordinating policies on gender, youth, children, labour, employment, migration and community development across the eight Partner States.
The meeting marked the operationalisation of the newly established Sectoral Council on Social Affairs following the rationalisation of EAC Sectoral Councils.
The new council consolidates previously separate social sector mandates under a single platform to enhance policy coordination, implementation and oversight.
Opening the meeting, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Chairperson of the Sectoral Council on Social Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, called on Partner States to move beyond policy formulation and focus on implementation.
“The EAC has established a strong foundation of policies and strategies to advance social development. Our priority now is to ensure timely implementation of the decisions and directives already adopted so that our citizens experience tangible improvements in their lives,” said Kadaga.
She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional cooperation, adding: “Uganda remains fully committed to working with all Partner States to advance the Community’s social affairs agenda.”
Speaking on behalf of the EAC Secretariat, Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, described the establishment of the Sectoral Council as a significant milestone in strengthening regional cooperation on social development.
“The Sectoral Council provides an important platform for strengthening policy coordination, enhancing collaboration among Partner States and translating regional commitments into concrete results through effective implementation, sustainable financing and continued political commitment,” he said.
According to the EAC, the newly adopted instruments are expected to strengthen social inclusion, labour mobility, decent work opportunities, youth empowerment and social protection while enhancing support for vulnerable groups. The measures will also promote greater harmonisation of social development policies across the region.
The ministers further reviewed progress on several regional programmes, including the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme implemented by AUDA-NEPAD. The initiative supports innovation, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth and women across the EAC.
The Council also welcomed progress made under the Empowering Border Communities Project, which seeks to improve livelihoods and promote inclusive cross-border trade, particularly for women and young entrepreneurs.
On migration governance, ministers adopted recommendations from the First EAC Regional Consultative Process on Migration, including an action plan aimed at strengthening cooperation on safe, orderly and regular migration, labour mobility and the protection of migrants.
The Council also commended the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for supporting the establishment of the regional consultative process.
While noting significant progress in implementing previous directives, the ministers emphasised the need for greater accountability, stronger coordination and sustainable resource mobilisation to ensure timely implementation of regional commitments and deliver tangible benefits to East African citizens.
