China reaffirms its position as supporting pillar towards the East African Community’s integration process
China, through its Tanzanian Embassy in Dar-es-salaam, has pledged its continued support towards the East African Community integration process.
That was affirmed in Arusha just as Beijing disbursed another USD 180,000 being China’s annual donations to the East African Community, whose secretariat operates from the Northern Tanzanian City.
The East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Ambassador Stephen Mbundi and the Chinese envoy to Tanzania and the EAC, Chen Mingjian, inked a Certificate of Donation at the East African Community Headquarters in Arusha.
Both China and the EAC also expressed their intention to broaden cooperation beyond institutional support and deepen collaboration in support of East African Community integration and development priorities.
The occasion to sign a Certificate of Donation in Arusha, stamps China’s continued financial support to the East African Community.
Ambassador Mbundi commended the Government and People of China for their longstanding friendship and practical support to the Community.
“Today’s signing demonstrates China’s continued commitment to the EAC integration agenda and reflects the strong partnership that has developed between the two sides over many years,” he stated.
The signing marks China’s continued annual contribution of USD 180,000 to the EAC budget.
The support has played an important role in advancing regional integration and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Community.
The contribution has supported key EAC priorities, including governance and institutional development, regional trade promotion, election observation, senior leadership engagements, and communication of the regional integration agenda.
“China highly values its longstanding cooperation with the East African Community,” said the Chinese envoy, Ambassador Mingjian.
“Our annual support reflects China’s commitment to strengthening regional integration, institutional development and cooperation that delivers practical benefits to the people of East Africa,” she added.
Beyond annual budget support, China has provided capacity-building opportunities, professional training and knowledge exchange programmes for EAC officials.
Beijing has also extended logistical assistance, including the 2023 donation of eight vehicles valued at approximately USD 400,000 to support EAC operations and regional coordination activities.
The vehicles have strengthened the EAC Secretariat’s capacity to coordinate regional meetings and other Community activities.
The EAC and China expressed their intention to broaden cooperation beyond institutional support by exploring opportunities in regional infrastructure and connectivity, trade and market access.
They will jointly work to address climate-change adaptation, green energy, digitalization, technology transfer, innovation and human-capital development.
The Community lauded the prospect of a structured EAC–Sino dialogue to identify a focused pipeline of regional projects aligned with the 7th EAC Development Strategy and China’s Global Development Initiative.
Priority areas proposed for further engagement include trade-enhancing infrastructure, industrialization and value addition, digital trade and connectivity, climate adaptation, green energy, food security, development financing and institutional capacity development.
The EAC Secretary General emphasized the importance of project-based cooperation that combines financing, technology and knowledge transfer, capacity development and private-sector participation, while delivering demonstrable benefits across the region.
“We look forward to working with China to translate our shared priorities into a focused programme of cooperation aligned with the 7th EAC Development Strategy and the Global Development Initiative. Our objective is to build a forward-looking partnership that contributes to a more integrated, competitive and prosperous East African region,” said the Secretary General.
On her part, Ambassador Mingjian said as China and the EAC continue to strengthen their partnership, Beijing sees significant opportunities to expand cooperation in infrastructure, trade, green development, the digital economy, technology and capacity building.
“We look forward to working with the EAC to build on our achievements and deliver even greater development outcomes for East Africa,” she added.
The signing builds on discussions held between the EAC Secretariat and China in June 2026, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation beyond institutional support towards strategic initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, economic transformation and regional integration.