The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening trade, investment and fiscal policy to advance regional integration and inclusive economic development in East Africa.
The agreement signed in Arusha Tanzania on Friday, establishes a framework for cooperation in research, policy dialogue, legislative support, institutional capacity building, oversight, publication and dissemination of research, resource mobilization, policy monitoring, and collaboration with the EALA Women’s Caucus to promote gender-responsive trade and investment policies.
The partnership formalises years of collaboration between SEATINI and the EALA Women’s Caucus, including joint oversight missions to border posts that documented the experiences of women cross-border traders.
The findings have informed policy discussions on improving gender-responsive trade governance across the region.
Joseph Ntakirutimana, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, described the MoU as an important step in strengthening EALA’s legislative and oversight work.
“This partnership strengthens our efforts to advance the East African Community’s regional integration agenda through sound trade, investment and evidence-based policymaking. SEATINI’s expertise will complement EALA’s legislative, oversight and representative mandate as we pursue policies that improve the lives of East Africans,” he said.
He added that the partnership will deepen collaboration with the EALA Women’s Caucus on research, policy advocacy, capacity building and oversight, particularly on issues affecting women engaged in cross-border trade.
Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza, Chairperson of the EALA Women’s Caucus, said the Memorandum of Understanding is merely the formalisation of a longstanding partnership, noting that the agreement provides a stronger platform to advance trade policy advocacy, oversight, and the interests of women cross-border traders across the region.
“This is not the beginning of a relationship but the formalisation of one. Together, we have supported oversight work, advanced trade policy advocacy and amplified the concerns of women traders across the region. This agreement gives us a stronger platform to continue that work.”
Jane Seruwagi Nalunga, the SEATINI Executive Director described the signing as the next step in a long-standing partnership grounded in a shared commitment to equitable regional integration.
“This Memorandum provides the framework to deepen our collaboration and turn evidence into action. Regional integration should be measured by the opportunities it creates for women traders, young entrepreneurs, MSMEs and other citizens who depend on fair and inclusive markets,” she said.
Nalunga added that SEATINI looks forward to working with EALA on research, evidence-based oversight, policy dialogue, technical support and monitoring to ensure regional policies deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
Both institutions expressed confidence that the partnership will strengthen evidence-informed policymaking, promote inclusive trade and investment, and contribute to a more equitable and responsive East African Community.
