The EU-EAC CORE Programme is set to convene the 1st Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on Business Mobility, a high-level dialogue aimed to bring together key stakeholders from EAC Partner States, the private sector, immigration authorities, professional bodies, and development partners to address persistent challenges affecting the movement of business persons across the region. Over the years, the EAC has made notable progress in promoting regional integration and mobility. The introduction of the EAC e-Passport and the signing of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) in key professional sectors have contributed to easing cross-border movement. East African Partner States such as Kenya and Rwanda have gone further by digitising immigration services and simplifying visa processes.
Despite these efforts, many businesspeople still encounter practical barriers to cross-border mobility. These include delays in work permit issuance, inconsistent immigration practices, non-recognition of qualifications, and limited access to regulatory information. These on-the-ground realities often contradict regional commitments, hindering the full potential of the EAC integration agenda.
This engagement will reinforce the EAC Secretariat’s Consultative Dialogue Framework and ensure that the Programme’s interventions remain demand-driven, locally anchored, and aligned with private sector realities. Ultimately, the conference will catalyse deeper collaboration, unlocking opportunities for intra-EAC trade, investment, and services mobility, hallmarks of the CORE Programme’s transformative agenda.