EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC)

AT A GLANCE
Secretary General: Honourable Juma V. Mwapachu
Created: 1999
Secretariat: Arusha, Tanzania
Member Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda
Objectives: The East African Community (EAC) is committed to regional integration, working to strengthen cooperation among partner states in political, economic, and social fields. It established a Customs Union in 2005, which means that member countries pay no duties on goods within the EAC. It is currently working towards the establishment of a Common Market by 2010, a common currency and ultimately a Political Federation of the East African States

Ensuring Transparent Procurement Procedures

Status: Complete, 2009
Local Organization: East African Community (EAC)
Canadian Expert: Steven Turner and John Read

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprised of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, and the United Republic of Tanzania.  It aims to improve cooperation among partner states and to foster mutual economic and social development by championing such endeavours as a Common Market by 2010 and a Monetary Union by 2012.  Given this mandate and objectives, effective, open and transparent procurement procedures are of paramount importance.  The partner states have committed core support to the EAC Secretariat to institute appropriate systems and policies, build staff capacity and strengthen accountability systems.

In response to the EAC’s request for assistance, the CIDA-funded Deployment for Democratic Development (DDD) contracted two Canadian experts.  In collaboration with his EAC counterparts, John Read produced comprehensive procurement policies and processes, with a guiding manual, supporting documentation and training.  His colleague Steven Turner worked with the EAC to put in place a risk-based audit framework, including processes and tools for identifying, assessing and managing the risks inherent in procurement and in corporate governance generally.