By KPC Reporter
East African Community (EAC) Ministers have called for accelerated implementation of regional transport, communications and meteorological projects.
The call was made as the 20th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology (TCM) concluded in Arusha.
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The week-long meeting, which brought together more than 100 participants including ministers, permanent secretaries, senior officials, development partners and private sector representatives, focused on advancing regional connectivity and integration through strategic infrastructure investments.
Opening the Ministerial Session, Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport and Chairperson of the meeting, Julius Maganda Wandera, urged Partner States to fast-track ongoing projects while initiating new ones that can strengthen regional links.
“It is imperative that, both individually and collectively, we accelerate the implementation of ongoing transport, communications and meteorological projects while also developing new initiatives that strengthen regional connectivity,” said Wandera.
The Council reviewed progress and issued directives across key sectors including roads, railways, maritime transport, telecommunications, civil aviation, airports and meteorology.
A major highlight was the significant progress recorded in the roads sector, where more than 15,000 kilometres of multinational road corridors are under development across the region.
To further ease regional movement, the Council directed the EAC Secretariat to undertake a study on the harmonisation of road user charges under the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Framework.
The move is expected to promote a more predictable and integrated regional transport system while reducing barriers to cross-border trade.
In the railway sector, ministers directed the Secretariat to fast-track the completion of the EAC Railways Interoperability Bill, which seeks to establish a harmonised legal and regulatory framework for cross-border rail operations.
The proposed legislation is expected to improve interoperability among national railway systems and enhance regional trade by facilitating seamless movement of goods and passengers.
The Council also noted progress towards the development of the EAC Regional Mobile Roaming Regulations, which aim to lower the cost of cross-border mobile communications, improve service quality and strengthen consumer protection.
Once adopted, the regulations are expected to support the creation of a Single Digital Market, making it easier for citizens and businesses to communicate and operate across borders.
On civil aviation, ministers reviewed efforts to liberalise the regional air transport market and urged Partner States that have not yet joined the initiative to do so.
According to the Council, a liberalised air transport market would reduce travel costs, improve passenger and cargo movement, stimulate tourism and attract investment.
The meeting also addressed measures to strengthen Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation systems to enhance aviation safety across the region.
In the maritime sector, ministers reviewed progress on the Safety and Accessibility on Lake Victoria (SAIL) Programme and urged Uganda and Tanzania to expedite the full operationalisation of the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mwanza.
The Council described the completion of the rescue centre as a major milestone in efforts to improve maritime safety and protect lives and livelihoods on Lake Victoria.
The ministers further encouraged Partner States to embrace sustainable financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), to bridge funding gaps and accelerate infrastructure development.
The decisions adopted during the meeting are expected to boost regional connectivity, strengthen transport and digital networks, facilitate trade and investment, and advance the East African Community’s broader agenda of economic integration.
