MOMBASA: Efforts to boost cross-border trade and economic growth within the East African Community (EAC) have intensified, with the eight Partner States urged to eliminate all barriers to transportation. This call was made during the Ministerial Session of the 19th EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology, held in Mombasa. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, highlighted the essential role of transportation in facilitating the movement of people, goods, services, and resources.
According to Kenya News Agency, CS Chirchir emphasized the importance of transport, communication, and meteorology as key drivers of the region’s economies. He advocated for the removal of both physical and non-physical barriers to effective transportation, which he believes would directly impact the economic and social development of EAC countries. Chirchir also underscored the significance of digitalization in fostering connectivity and economic growth, noting that communicatio
n is a crucial bridge in the digital age.
Chirchir stated that accurate and timely meteorological data are vital for planning and protecting infrastructure, agriculture, and communities. He called for strengthened meteorological cooperation to build resilience against climate change challenges. Kenya, he reaffirmed, is committed to developing infrastructure and regulations that support effective communication, mitigate climate change, and facilitate seamless movement across EAC borders.
Andrea Malueth, EAC Deputy Secretary General-In-Charge of Infrastructure, highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure along the Northern and Central Transport Corridors to facilitate movement and enhance intra-regional trade, which currently stands at 15 percent. Malueth mentioned ongoing projects to actualize the East African Railways Network, with substantial progress made in Kenya and Tanzania.
To achieve seamless railway connectivity, Malueth stressed the need for joint resource mobilization to avoid gaps
that could impede the program. He also noted the addition of radar and automatic weather stations to improve the safety of air transport and cope with climate change. Malueth urged the region to adopt quality management systems for Aeronautical Meteorological Services and to modernize meteorological services with appropriate institutional frameworks.
The meeting, conducted in a hybrid manner, was attended by ministers and representatives from various EAC countries, reflecting the collective commitment to addressing transportation and communication challenges in the region.
