The global multilateral architecture is undergoing a profound shift, with the multilateral rules-based trade system facing increasing disruption. Against this backdrop, a breakfast dialogue facilitated by Amb. Alfred K’Ombudo, Senior Advisor to the President of Kenya, during the EAC Multisectoral High-Level Meeting in Kigali on 19–20 February 2026 underscored the urgency of a regional response to ensure the East African Community (EAC) remains competitive in a rapidly changing environment.

Discussions highlighted the fast-evolving external trade landscape, where several new trade agreements are reshaping market access conditions  for key markets. As competing economies secure comparable or more advantageous arrangements, the EAC’s traditional value proposition, rooted in preferential market access, is becoming less distinct. While trade agreements with established partners are not inherently adverse, participants noted increasing concern that deals concluded by other economies, including the EU-India and EU-Mercosur agreements, may influence market conditions in ways that could affect the EAC’s competitiveness.

Participants also observed that unilateral trade agreements by individual Partner States can modify perceptions of the EAC as a single market. While each Member State retains its sovereign right to pursue bilateral arrangements, the dialogue highlighted the value of closer technical coordination and political consultation under the EAC and AfCFTA frameworks, with a view to aligning regional positions where possible and strengthening the region’s overall negotiating posture. This was framed as a practical approach to enhancing coherence and leverage while fully respecting national prerogatives.Building on these external pressures, the dialogue turned to the internal constraints that continue to limit the region’s ability to translate market access into tangible commercial gains.

Participants emphasized that securing market access through trade agreements is only the beginning; the real challenge lies in effective implementation. Opening new markets requires far more than concluding agreements, as persistent logistical inefficiencies and supply chain constraints continue to erode competitiveness. A prolonged and circuitous tea shipment was cited as a practical illustration of how physical delivery can remain slow, indirect, and costly. In many cases, inefficiencies in production, post-factory handling, and barriers within partner markets offset, and sometimes even negate, the benefits of preferential tariffs, leaving local firms at a disadvantage.

This challenge is compounded by the persistent difficulty of trading within the region itself. Non-tariff barriers, overlapping domestic taxes, and weak internal supply chains continue to constrain intra-EAC trade. The dialogue underscored that these issues must be treated as core competitiveness concerns rather than secondary technical matters. Systematic removal of NTBs, harmonization of domestic measures affecting intra-regional trade, and reduction of trade-related costs are essential to unlocking the full potential of the regional market.

In this context, intra-EAC trade and the AfCFTA were framed not as fallback options, but as central pillars of the region’s strategic response to global trade shifts. Realizing this potential will require targeted institutional support and capacity building to enable public administrations and private sector actors to better understand trade costs, navigate complex regulatory frameworks, and design efficient, cost-effective supply chains.

Despite clear policy direction, participants pointed to a persistent implementation gap. Translating regional commitments, including priority partner strategies, AfCFTA tariff schedules, and NTB elimination measures, into tangible outcomes remains slow and uneven. At the same time, existing analytical and training capacities are not yet fully leveraged, particularly in relation to emerging trade issues such as sustainability standards, critical minerals, digital trade, and modern dispute settlement mechanisms.

Against this backdrop, multilateral processes were viewed as increasingly constrained, with limited expectations for major breakthroughs at MC14. While longstanding priorities under the WTO Doha Development Agenda, particularly in agriculture, food security, and special and differential treatment, remain important, participants recognized that regional and bilateral tracks are becoming more critical for securing timely market access and investment flows.

Key recommendation from the session:

Strengthen joint cooperation by reaffirming the commitment to pursue priority external trade agreements through coordinated regional engagement, supported by clear mandates and strong technical and political alignment. Partner States should align positions where possible, draw lessons from existing agreements, and safeguard shared interests through structured information exchange and negotiation partnerships.

Establish a standing negotiators’ platform by creating a permanent regional mechanism and investing in sustained capacity building. The EAC should draw on regional training and research institutions to develop strong, evidence-based negotiating teams capable of addressing increasingly complex trade agendas.

Expand capacity building for public and private sectors through targeted training and institutional support. This should focus on effective use of NTB mechanisms, understanding full trade cost structures, compliance with rules of origin, and the design of efficient logistics and supply chains that minimize both time and cost.