Arusha, Tanzania – Somalia has taken a significant step in its regional integration by participating in a key meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Steering Committee in Arusha, Tanzania. The meeting, which took place from August 4-6, 2025, focused on charting the future direction of economic, trade, and development cooperation within the bloc.
Representing Somalia was Mr. Abdinaasir omar Kaatib, the Director of the Department of Economic Development at the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development. His presence at the high-level forum highlights Somalia’s commitment to playing an active role in regional affairs and leveraging its new membership in the EAC for national growth.
The primary objective of the meeting was the review and approval of the draft of the 7th EAC Development Strategy, a comprehensive plan set to cover the period from 2026/2027 to 2030/2031. This strategy will serve as a guiding framework for all member states, providing a roadmap for regional integration and cooperative projects over the next five years.
Somalia’s engagement in these discussions is particularly noteworthy as it signals the country’s dedication to aligning its national development goals with the broader regional agenda. By contributing to the formulation of the EAC’s long-term strategy, Somalia aims to ensure that its specific needs and priorities are considered in the regional framework, thereby creating new opportunities for economic partnerships, trade expansion, and infrastructure development.
The meeting’s outcomes are expected to lay the foundation for a more interconnected and prosperous East Africa. Somalia’s participation in this crucial steering committee reinforces its position as a new, but highly engaged, member of the EAC, poised to contribute to and benefit from the bloc’s collective vision for the future.
