Promoting digitalisation for enhanced trade and integration in East Africa

Context

The countries of the East African Community (EAC) established a Common Market in 2010. The Common Market provides free movement of labour and workers. However, regulated professionals who require a license to practice face limitations. This results from the lack of a common standardised approach for evaluating qualifications and experience as well as missing data exchange between the member countries. As a result, professionals who have a license to practice in their home country must go through a similar process if they move to another country of the community.

Article 11 of the EAC Common Market Protocol supports the harmonisation and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications between the EAC Partner States. In 2010, some partner states signed mutual recognition agreements for accountants, architects, engineers, and veterinarians.

The project Digitalisation of East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) seeks to improve the regulatory framework for free movement of engineers in the region. Moreover, it aims to introduce a digital data exchange mechanism for better cross-border mobility of engineers.

Objective

The easier cross-border movement of professionals in the East African Community is being facilitated.

Approach

The project works to:

• Improve the legal framework to support the cross-border movement of engineers.
• Enhance the digital services required to increase engineers' ability to move across borders.
• Promote data governance and cross-border data exchange in trade in services.

Last update: April 2023