Finance Ministers and senior economic policymakers from the East African Community Partner States have agreed on a coordinated regional approach to budgeting, tax harmonisation and economic integration during the 18th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) held in Arusha, Tanzania from May 11 to 15, 2026.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda’s Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, who called for stronger implementation of regional commitments to deliver tangible economic benefits to citizens across East Africa.

The Council adopted a common regional budget theme for the Financial Year 2026/27: “Deepening Regional Integration and Economic Resilience through Improved Regional Security, Domestic Revenue Mobilisation and Digital Transformation for Inclusive Growth.”

Finance Ministers also agreed that all EAC Partner States will read their national budgets on June 11, 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening regional fiscal coordination and macroeconomic convergence.

The meeting reviewed the region’s economic outlook, with Partner States reporting continued economic recovery and resilience despite global economic uncertainties. Uganda reported economic growth of 6.7 percent in the first half of FY2025/26, up from 5.8 percent during the same period in the previous financial year. The growth was supported by strong performance in agriculture, industry and services.

Ministers also reviewed progress on the harmonisation of domestic taxes and implementation of directives intended to remove inconsistencies affecting trade within the Community. Partner States reported progress in aligning excise duty frameworks and treatment of locally produced goods in line with EAC Customs Union commitments.

The Council further reviewed progress towards macroeconomic convergence targets, including maintaining inflation below 8 percent, fiscal deficits below 3 percent of GDP and foreign exchange reserves equivalent to at least 4.5 months of imports.

According to the meeting, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda have maintained inflation within agreed convergence thresholds, reflecting prudent macroeconomic management across the region.

Dr. Ggoobi emphasized the need for the region to move from declarations to practical implementation, noting that sustainable financing, stronger institutional capacity and effective coordination are critical to the success of regional integration.

He said citizens across the region expect concrete benefits from the EAC, including increased trade, jobs, investment opportunities and improved livelihoods, and called for accelerated implementation of agreed regional commitments.

The Ministers also discussed sustainable financing of the EAC and called for faster implementation of reforms aimed at ensuring predictable and equitable funding of regional institutions.

In addition, the Council considered measures to strengthen public financial management systems across the region, including harmonisation of fiscal frameworks, treasury systems, commitment controls and budget credibility mechanisms to support economic stability and investor confidence.

The meeting was attended by delegations from EAC Partner States led by Ministers of Finance and Permanent Secretaries responsible for Finance and Economic Planning, alongside officials from the EAC Secretariat, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen regional integration, strengthen economic resilience and accelerate implementation of the East African Community agenda across the region.