“We have made many speeches in the recent past. We just have to get down to do the work that is entailed in the statements we have made to our people. I am with you all the way to achieve the objective of deeper and wider integration of our community,” he said.

The signing of the treaty on Friday 8th April 2022 at Kenya’s State House in Nairobi saw DRC becoming the 7th EAC member state.

The ceremony hosted by Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta was also attended by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi who signed the treaty, Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki and Kenya’s Industrialization and Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who holds the East African Community docket in acting capacity.

The signing of the treaty of accession follows the admission of DR Congo into the EAC as the seventh member of the regional bloc during the virtual 19th Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State chaired by President Kenyatta on March 29.

Welcoming DR Congo into the EAC, President Kenyatta said that the coming of the new member into the Community will open doors of opportunity for expanded trade and cooperation.

“With the accession of the DRC, our Community’s population now stands at about 300 million and our combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will now stand at $250 billion,” Kenyatta said.

The Head of State added that the accession of DR Congo as a member of the EAC will also strengthen the economic muscle and competitiveness of the regional economic bloc in the continent as well as globally.

“To my brother and friend President Tshishekedi and the people of the DRC, we welcome you to the EAC Customs Union and the EAC Common Market.

These two are the signature pillars of our community and the foundation upon which the social, political, trade, investment and economic interests stand,” President Kenyatta said.

He pointed out that the accession signature immediately brings DR Congo into the realms and provisions of all the protocols and regional policies of the EAC.

He said the signing will be followed by the immediate removal of all existing Non-Tariff Barriers as well as limitations on the movement of capital, goods, services and people, saying with time this will lead to a major increase in inter-EAC trade.

In this regard, President Kenyatta urged DR Congo to conclude the remaining domestic processes as per its constitution and deposit the instruments of ratification within the stipulated six months period.

The President assured that the Community shall also develop a mechanism for the speedy ratification by DR Congo of the admission of submissions of the Community to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) processes.

“As agreed by the EAC partner states, the joint submission by EAC will strengthen our voice in the AfCFTA,” President Kenyatta said.

On his part, President Tshishekedi said the admission of DR Congo into the EAC was a fulfilment of dreams held by his country’s ancestors more than 60 years ago, adding that it marked a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policy.

“DR Congo will actively play its role within the community so that it can become more stronger and more prosperous,” President Tshishekedi said.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of integration, saying it accelerates prosperity through the provision of a broader market for goods and improves regional strategic security.

The Ugandan leader added that the integration of African countries is easier because they share common social infrastructure including language unlike in Europe where language barrier is a big problem.

The EAC Heads of State wrapped up the ceremony, also witnessed by development partners and representatives of the private sector, by unveiling the new map of the East African Community.

The entrance of the DR Congo into the EAC adds some 90 million people into the bloc’s already existing 177 million citizens.
EAC was established in 1967.

President Kagame has said that it is time for EAC leaders to fulfill promises to citizens.

President Paul Kagame signing the guest book in Kenya.

Heads of State who attended the event in a group photo after the signing of accession treaty.

Uhuru Kenyatta welcoming his counterpart of Rwanda at State House in Nairobi.

DRC President signing the accession treaty.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta signing the treaty formally admitting DRC into EAC.