A cornerstone of the EU-EAC CORE Programme is strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of regulatory bodies across the East African Community (EAC). By empowering regulators, the Programme helps create a more predictable, transparent, and harmonized business environment—essential for regional integration and private sector growth. One of the key approaches is fostering collaboration between national and regional regulators through knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and technical assistance.

A case in point is the Programme’s support to the Ordre des Professionnels Comptables du Burundi (OPC) in its journey toward full membership in the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). This support includes improving training systems, quality management, enforcement capabilities, and compliance with international standards. By investing in the professionalization and alignment of regulatory institutions, the EU-EAC CORE Programme ensures that regulators are not only effective gatekeepers but also enablers of mobility, innovation, and economic competitiveness across the region.