By GPC Reporter
East African Community (EAC) Partner States are stepping up efforts to strengthen e-commerce and cross-border digital trade, focusing on consumer protection, reliable data and the implementation of regional digital trade policies.
The measures were discussed during the EAC Regional E-Commerce Engagement Platform meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Also Read
The meeting also reviewed progress in implementing the EAC E-Commerce Strategy and explored ways to prepare Partner States for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade.
The regional platform brings together Partner States to address challenges affecting e-commerce, including digital infrastructure, logistics, cybersecurity, online marketplaces, payment systems and regulatory frameworks.
A key priority was improving the monitoring and evaluation tool for the EAC E-Commerce Strategy. Participants reviewed and updated baseline data based on recommendations from national e-commerce engagement platforms held between September and October 2026.
The exercise is expected to improve the quality and availability of data used to track implementation and guide policy decisions.
Meeting chairperson Chris Matsiko, a commercial officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said e-commerce offered opportunities to expand market access, facilitate cross-border trade and promote entrepreneurship.
He said digital trade could also help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.
“These opportunities can only be realised through deliberate and coordinated efforts to address prevailing challenges, including gaps in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, logistics, payment systems, digital skills, consumer protection and the availability of reliable data to inform policy decisions,” said Mr Matsiko.,
The lessons
The meeting also drew lessons from the Knowledge Exchange Forum on Building Trust in E-Commerce, held in Switzerland and Serbia in July 2026.
Participants identified priority interventions to strengthen confidence in cross-border digital transactions, including harmonising consumer protection frameworks, improving online dispute resolution mechanisms and promoting initiatives that build trust in e-commerce.
They also called for stronger public-private dialogue to support a secure and transparent environment for digital businesses and consumers.
Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) manager Gordon Kalema said digital trade could deepen regional integration and expand market opportunities for businesses.
“Intra-EAC trade has grown from USD 1.6 billion in 2005 to USD 19.65 billion in 2025, underscoring the significant potential of e-commerce to build on this progress by expanding market access, creating new opportunities for businesses and further deepening regional economic integration,” said Mr Kalema.
