East African Community to get $35m from Germany to boost regional integration projects

A gargantuan amount of USD 35 million has been given by Germany to the East African Community for implementing regional integration projects in the areas of health, regional economic integration and education.

Detlef Wächter, the German Ambassador to the East African Community (EAC) and Libérat Mfumukeko, EAC's Secretary-General signed the agreements in Tanzania's Arusha on February 19. An amount of USD 14.5 million from Germany has been allocated to continue the joint financial cooperation programme under the 'Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases', including EUR 3 million for the technical cooperation programme 'Pandemic preparedness in the EAC Region'.

According to The New Times, Germany's commitment to providing the fund with supporting the EAC's efforts in fighting communicable diseases and strengthening the community's ability to deal with pandemics. USD 10.7 million has been allocated to the continuation of the technical cooperation programme 'Support to the EAC Integration Process' which aims to bolster the bloc's intra-regional trade. The project looks forward to adding value in the productive sectors, better market access, improved customs processes and harmonised standards.

Apart from all these, the fund will be segregated to other sectors for major developments. USD 1.1 million is committed to sustaining efforts to strengthen regional infrastructure. Another chunk of USD 5.5 million will be invested on the EAC scholarship programme to support the region's master students. The German envoy reminded that Germany has always been a supporter of the EAC and its huge efforts in boosting regional integration in its varied facets.

"Strengthening economic integration, supporting the EAC in addressing key health and education challenges are at the core of our joint cooperation. Regarding our health cooperation, we believe it is vital to support the secretariat and the EAC Partner States to be better positioned when it comes to epidemics and pandemics," Detlef Wächter said.

#Germany commits US$ 5.5M towards the "#EAC Scholarship Programme" as the two parties sign agreement worth US$ 35M for various projects https://t.co/COQhmXBo1a @GermanyTanzania @KfWpress @LMfumukeko @eacmediacentre pic.twitter.com/5WtwBWxP78

— East African Community (@jumuiya) February 19, 2019

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