East African Community (EAC) member states are stepping up efforts to harmonise digital trade regulations, strengthen consumer protection and improve cross-border e-commerce as the region seeks to expand market access for businesses.
The initiative aims to address regulatory gaps, payment barriers, logistics challenges and limited digital infrastructure that continue to constrain online trade, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The measures were discussed at the EAC Regional E-Commerce Engagement Platform meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 13 to 15, 2026, as Partner States reviewed progress in implementing the bloc’s E-Commerce Strategy.
A key priority is improving the regulatory and digital infrastructure needed to enable businesses to sell goods and services across national borders more efficiently, while building consumer confidence in online transactions.
According to Gordon Kalema, Project Manager of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), the growth of intra-EAC trade highlights the potential for digital commerce to deepen regional economic integration.
“Intra-EAC trade has grown from USD 1.6 billion in 2005 to USD 19.65 billion in 2025,” Kalema said, noting that e-commerce could build on this progress by expanding market access and creating new opportunities for businesses.
The expansion of digital trade could help regional enterprises reach customers beyond their domestic markets, reduce reliance on physical sales channels and participate more effectively in regional and global value chains. However, unlocking these opportunities will require coordinated policies and more reliable cross-border digital services.
Chris Matsiko, Commercial Officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and chairperson of the meeting, said e-commerce offers significant opportunities to expand market access, facilitate cross-border trade and promote entrepreneurship.
He cautioned, however, that persistent gaps in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, logistics, payment systems and digital skills must be addressed to realise these benefits.
Reliable data is another priority. Partner States reviewed and updated baseline information for the Monitoring and Evaluation Tool supporting the EAC E-Commerce Strategy, drawing on recommendations from national engagement platforms held between September and October 2026.
The exercise is intended to improve the tracking of implementation, identify policy gaps and provide a stronger evidence base for regional decision-making.
Consumer protection and digital trust
The meeting also focused on strengthening consumer confidence in cross-border online transactions, a critical requirement for businesses seeking to expand into neighbouring markets.
Drawing on lessons from a knowledge exchange forum held in Switzerland and Serbia in July 2026, officials identified priority actions including harmonising consumer protection frameworks, strengthening online dispute resolution mechanisms and promoting greater public-private sector cooperation.
More consistent rules could reduce uncertainty for businesses operating across multiple EAC markets while giving consumers greater confidence when purchasing goods and services from foreign online sellers.
The discussions also covered preparations for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade, which provides a continental framework for advancing digital commerce and cooperation among participating countries.
Aligning regional initiatives with the continental framework is expected to support greater policy coordination as African countries seek to expand digitally enabled trade.
Building a regional digital market
Through EARDIP, the EAC is advancing plans for a regional single digital market by supporting connectivity, harmonised data governance, cybersecurity and interoperability between digital payment systems.
These interventions are intended to make it easier for businesses and consumers to access digital services and conduct transactions across borders.
For smaller enterprises, improved payment interoperability and clearer regulations could help reduce the costs and complexity of serving customers in neighbouring countries. Stronger cybersecurity and consumer protection would also be essential to sustaining confidence in digital transactions.
The Regional E-Commerce Engagement Platform provides a mechanism for Partner States to coordinate policies covering digital infrastructure, logistics, online marketplaces, cybersecurity and payment systems.
The latest meeting signals renewed regional commitment to implementing the EAC E-Commerce Strategy. The commercial impact, however, will depend on how quickly governments translate policy discussions into harmonised regulations, practical digital services and more accessible cross-border trading systems.
For East African businesses, a more integrated digital market could widen customer bases and create new opportunities for growth. For the region, it offers another route to strengthening intra-African trade and connecting local enterprises to continental and global markets.
