EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC)
AT A GLANCE
Secretary General: Honorable Juma V. Mwapachu
Created: 1999
Secretariat: Arusha, Tanzania
Member Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda
Objectives: 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 Secretariat (EAC)
Canadian Experts: Steven Turner and John Read
The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization working towards a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa. Its mission is to strengthen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments. Effective, open and transparent procurement procedures are vital to the EAC’s success and legitimacy. Partner states have committed core support to the Arusha-based Secretariat to institute
appropriate systems and policies, build staff capacity and strengthen accountability systems.
Working closely with the EAC Secretariat, Canadian expert John Read produced comprehensive procurement policies and processes, a guide/manual, supporting documentation and training. His colleague Steven Turner 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. |
"This experience shows us that accountability and transparency are growing requirements everywhere and although we may have different departure points, the goals are similar. The key is to ensure the methods we propose are appropriate for the climate in which they are to be used." - Steven Turner |