EAC Secures €205,000 ICT Infrastructure Investment for Digital Growth
The East African Community (EAC) has received a €205,000 boost to its ICT infrastructure, enhancing its digital services. This investment will improve reliability, cybersecurity, and data management. The initiative supports the region's first digital platform for mutual recognition of professional engineers.
€205,000 in new ICT infrastructure is set to transform the East African Community's (EAC) digital landscape.
This investment, equivalent to approximately USD 230,000, was provided by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and announced on May 26, 2026.
The new infrastructure aims to enhance the EAC's capacity to host and secure its digital services.
It will improve reliability, bolster cybersecurity, and ensure effective data backup and system continuity.
This upgrade is particularly significant as it supports Africa's first digital mechanism for the mutual recognition of professional engineers.
Infrastructure Details
The infrastructure package includes high-performance primary and disaster recovery servers, a Storage Area Network (SAN) system with enterprise-grade connectivity, and two backup appliances for automated data protection.
It features enterprise network switches, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for advanced cybersecurity, and Windows Server Datacentre licenses.
This investment positions the EAC Secretariat as a custodian of regional digital public infrastructure.
It will facilitate secure cross-border digital services for East African professionals, beginning with engineers and extending to other professions such as accountancy, architecture, and veterinary science.
Strategic Importance
During the handover ceremony, EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi emphasized the milestone this investment represents in the Community's digital integration journey.
He noted that the infrastructure not only signifies a transfer of equipment but also a transfer of ownership and capability.
The project was funded under the Digitalisation for East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) initiative, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
This collaboration reflects a commitment to enhancing professional mobility across the region.
Future Implications
The EAC’s new digital platform, accessible at mraportal.eac.int, allows engineers to register, authenticate credentials, and apply for recognition online across the EAC Partner States.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to operationalize the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Engineers within the EAC Common Market Protocol.
As the EAC progresses with this digital transformation, it has already established agreements in various professions, including accountancy, architecture, and veterinary services.
Negotiations for an MRA for advocates are also underway.
Next Steps
The EAC Secretariat is committed to sustaining and scaling the platform, with ongoing developments expected in the coming months.
This investment marks a significant step towards enhancing regional integration and professional recognition across East Africa.
