The 1st East African Community Academic and Research Network for Regional Integration (EACARNRI) International Conference on Regional Integration, shall be a Conference jointly organized by the East African Community Academic Research Network for Regional Integration, the Inter University Council of East Africa, and the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence which is to carry the theme The Role of Academics and Researchers in East African Community Integration. The theme of the conference is relevant and timely. This is because being the first for the Network, members will interrogate their contribution to EAC integration and will explore factors that can accelerate integration. The international Conference will be held at the EAC Headquarters, Arusha from 26th to 27th June 2025. The Conference intends to attract stakeholders comprising academics, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders.
It is through the efforts of the Inter-University Council for East Africa, and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence that EACARNRI was launched on 23rd June 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. The launch of the Network signified a new dawn in tapping the expertise of academics and researchers in the acceleration of the East African regional integration process for socio-economic development of the Region. The need for the launch of EACARNRI was premised on the fact that the voice of academics and researchers in regional integration has been lacking in the EAC integration process. This is despite the fact that they can play an instrumental role in accelerating the East African integration process by informing policy decisions through cutting edge research and training the human resources with the necessary skills to tackle the challenges of the region.
Background Information
The East African Community (EAC) was re-established in the year 1999 after the adoption of the Treaty Establishing the EAC of 1999 and came into operation as from the year 2000 when the Treaty came into force. The initial members were three, namely, Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania. The EAC membership currently consists of eight (8) Member States. The additional five members are Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Federal Republic Somalia. After the re-establishment of EAC in 1999, it recognized the Inter-university Council for East Africa (IUCEA) as one of the surviving institutions of the former EAC which collapsed in 1977. There was an agreement to establish IUCEA as an institution of the new EAC. In 2002 Minister responsible for higher education in Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania signed the IUCEA protocol making the Council a legal body corporate of the EAC. In 2009 the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) enacted the IUCEA Act 2009 integrating IUCEA into the EAC operational framework. The Act spells out the objectives and functions of IUCEA as well as it enjoins the Council to promote collaborative research, conduct subject meetings, conferences and workshops, and promote, through relevant activities in the member universities, the meaning and value of East African unity. It is on this basis that the EACARNRI was established on 23rd June 2023 and continues to function under the tutelage of the IUCEA. EACARNRI draws membership from private and public universities of the EAC partner states.
The EACARNRI was established to contribute to the success of the EAC integration process, increase the EAC’s influence at continental and international levels, and provide a forum for higher education institutions as well as individuals to play their rightful roles in shaping the EAC integration agenda.
The objectives of EACARNRI as captured in its constitution include:
- To promote research in the area of the EAC regional integration for purposes of improving the socio-economic development of Eastern Africa.
- To provide policy makers with evidence-based advice on matters related to EAC regional integration through regular policy briefs.
- To plan and host conferences, symposia and workshops for sharing ideas on EAC integration and for the dissemination of research findings and best practices.
The 1st EACARNRI International Conference seeks to realize the foregoing objectives. It also seeks to further the Network’s mission of providing expertise opinion, consultation, and academic assistance in ensuring the EAC organs to achieve full economic and political integration. The Network envisions to have annual international conferences on themes derived from its mission.
The theme of the conference is: The Role of Academics and Researchers in East African Community Integration. The authors and presenters of the conference papers are encouraged to enrich their content by citing examples from other regional economic blocs. The conference papers will focus on salient issues in the four integration pillars of the EAC which constitute the conference sub-themes. A sub-theme on cross-cutting matters is also suggested..
The 1st EACARNRI International Conference intends to achieve the following objectives:
- To analyse the role of academics and researchers in regional integration;
- To assess the implementation progress of EAC pillars;
- To analyze challenges facing the EAC in implementing the EAC security legal framework and related policies;
- To design a draft proposal for the way forward, leading to a policy paper on the security challenges facing the EAC, to be delivered to the EAC Secretariat.
4.0 Expected Outcomes of the Conference
The Arusha Conference intends to accomplish the following:
- The EACARNRI Secretariat to issue a compiled proceeding of the conference to the participants of the conference;
- The EACARNRI Secretariat to prepare a report of the Conference and issue it to all participants;
- The EACARNRI Secretariat to provide a selection of papers at the conference and publish them at the East African Community Journal on Regional Integration (EACARNRI Journal);
- The EACARNRI Secretariat to prepare a policy brief on the main theme of the conference;
- The EACARNRI Executive committee to submit a draft recommendation report to the EAC Secretary General in regard to the security challenges in the EAC region;
- The 1st EACARNRI International Conference on Regional Integration to be a forum for dialogue between policy makers, researchers, academia and decision makers on matters regarding security in the EAC region.
Programme Outline
1st EAC International Conference for the Academic and Research Network on Regional Integration
Theme: The Role of Academics and Researchers in East African Community Integration
📍 Venue: Gran Meliá Hotel, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania
📆 Dates: 26–27 June 2025
DAY 1 – 26th June 2025
Opening Session
- Welcome Remarks – Prof. Penine Uwimbabazi, EACARNRI President
- Remarks – Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, IUCEA Executive Secretary
- Official Opening – Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi
- Keynote Address – Prof. Jean-Marc Trouille, Jean-Monnet Centre of Excellence, University of Bradford
Thematic Paper Sessions – Day 1
Session 1: Common Market
Chair: Prof. Michael Mawa
- Entrepreneurship Strategy as a Pathway to Youth Graduates Employment in East Africa – Prof. Reverien Ndereyimana (Physical)
- Enhancing Labor Mobility in the African Continental Common Market – Paul Focux (Physical)
- Somali Higher-Education QA Alignment with EAC CHEA Standards – Dr Abukar Mukhtar Omar (Online)
- Science & Technology Transfer in EAC – Mary Atieno Juma (Online)
- Peace, Integration, and Environment in the African Rift Canal – Prof Kennedy Kihangi Bindu (Online)
Session 2: Common Market (continued)
Chair: Dr. Boniface Muoka
- Civil Society and the EAC Common Market – Immanuel Mwendwa Kiilu (Physical)
- Medical Research Integration in East Africa – Lamwaka Alice Veronica (Physical)
- Private Higher Education and EAC Integration – Rev. Jonas Musengimana (Online)
- Cross-border Biodiversity Research in the EAC – Innocent Balagizi Karhagomba (Online)
Session 3: Customs Union
Chair: Modecai Mwita
- Agricultural Financial Integration in the EAC – Bahati Sebasore (Physical)
- Digital Trade & SME Competitiveness – Beatrice Mbinya (Physical)
- Innovative Grounds for EAC Growth – Prof. Désiré Louis Nizigiyimana (Physical)
- Access to the Job Market in East Africa – Romuald Cihimbire Kalimira (Online)
DAY 2 – 27th June 2025
Session 4: Monetary Union & Political Federation
Chair: Dr. Jonathan Omuchesi
- Common Currency and Regional Identity – François-Xavier Mureha (Physical)
- Exchange Rate Effects on Rotarians in EAC – Mugabi Ivan Kayiti (Physical)
- Inflation & Competitiveness in EAC – Kwizera Thierry (Online)
- Capital Market Integration and Economic Growth – Senga Matabaro (Online)
Session 5: Political Federation (continued)
Chair: Dr. Salome Guchu
- EAC Political Federation & Sovereignty – Dr. Neema Bhoke Mwita (Physical)
- Foreign Debt and Kenya’s Gen Z Revolution – Lynette A. Odondi (Physical)
- Women in Peace and Security Sector Reform – Busuulwa Huthaifah Abdallah (Physical)
- Francophone DRC vs. Anglophone Hegemony in the EAC – Prof Beya Justin (Online)
Session 6: Political Federation (continued)
Chair: Prof. Désiré Louis Nizigiyimana
- Peace, Security, and the Limits of Regionalism – Prof. Solomon Muchwa Asiimwe (Physical)
- Universities and EAC Integration – Prof. Leonidas Ndayisaba (Physical)
- Social Media and Youth Mobilization in the DRC – Nadine Luaba Ngalula (Online)
- M23 and the EAC Diplomatic Crisis – Omona Andrew David (Online)
Session 7: Cross-Cutting Issues
Chair: Prof. Meshack Obonyo
- Climate, Stability & Integration in Somalia – Abdikadir Ahmed Mohamed (Physical)
- Academic Research and EAC Integration – Lamwaka Alice Veronica (Physical)
- Institutional Overlap: DRC between EAC & SADC – Tuponaye Ruvugiro Germain (Online)
- Dispute Resolution in the EAC – Mary Atieno Juma (Online)
Session 8: Cross-Cutting Issues (continued)
Chair: Prof. Philippe Tunamsifu
- Dispute Mechanisms in EAC Integration Agreements – Bandu Batundi Patient (Online)
- Academics’ Contribution to Integration – Dr. Michael Mwareri Wangai (Online)
- Electoral Corruption in Hybrid Regimes – Tumba Tuseku Dieudonné (Online)
Closing Session
- Way Forward – Prof. Penine Uwimbabazi
- Vote of Thanks – Dr. Larry Ndivo
The conference intends to bring together 80 participants including academia, policy makers and partners.
Conference Organisers are inviting registration of:
- SPONSORS
All Interested Sponsors are requested to register. Upon registration, direct contact will be made to confirm the offer of sponsorship considered, which may include but are not limited to:
- Travel Grant Partner – USD 2,500
- Publication Partner – USD 5,000
- Conference Package partner – USD 10,000
- The Conference Package Partner will be granted an opportunity to address the event during the opening session of the Conference.
- The Publication Partner will be granted an opportunity to present and share in one Session on the First day, under the Sub-theme of Choice.
- The Travel Grant Partner will be granted an opportunity to present and share in one Session on the second day, under the Sub-theme of Choice.
- All Sponsors will be recognised and mentioned by name during the opening session of the Conference.
- The logos for all Sponsors will be placed on all Conference Print materials and Online Platforms.
- PAPER PRESENTERS
All Interested Paper Presenters are encouraged to register and participate either physically or virtually/online. (All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by experts. Organisers will select not less than ten (10) paper presenters with quality abstracts for travel and accommodation sponsorship.
- PARTICIPANTS
All Interested Participants are encouraged to register and participate either physically or virtually/online. Registered Physical participants will cater for their individual travel and accommodation cost.
- INVITED SPEAKERS
All Speakers invited as Theme Experts and Guest Speakers are encouraged to register.
Sub theme:
- Value addition of agricultural produce within the EAC Partner States;
- Effects of trading blocs on global liberalization;
- Impact of Multilateral Trade Rules (WTO) and Regional Trade Arrangements among EAC Partner States;
- Trade imbalances with the EAC regional economic bloc;
- Regional integration and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) policies
- Ethical and legal dilemma on state cross-membership in regional trading blocs.
- Management of environment and natural resources among EAC Partner States;
- Status of air transportation co-operation among EAC member-status;
- Status of freedoms of movement for all the factors of production within the EAC;
- Role of civil society organizations in the EAC integration process;
- Education, Science and technology transfer and innovation in the EAC: Challenges and Opportunities;
- Challenges facing Implementation of Pacts on Regional health and vaccination programs.
- East Africa Common Higher Education Area
- Situational analysis of monetary and financial integration;
- Currency Unions in the EAC;
- Benefits of exchange rate harmonization;
- Capital Markets Integration (insurance, banking, supervision);
- Status of co-operation in monetary and fiscal matters within the EAC;
- Investment promotion and private sector development in the EAC.
- EAC political federation: Challenges and opportunities;
- Management of elections in the EAC Partner States;
- Peace, security and political stability among the EAC Partner States;
- Political federation and state sovereignty;
- Political Federation in Europe: Lessons and perspectives.
- Reflection on the contribution of academics and researchers in the EAC integration;
- Collaboration and linkages among academics and researchers in regional integration;
- Comparative study of EACARNRI and other similar networks in Africa and beyond;
- Situation analysis of academic and research community involvement in the EAC integration process;
- Regional Integration Agreements (RIAs) and digital connectivity;
- Dispute Settlement Mechanisms within Regional Integration Agreements;
- Asymmetries in the integration process;
- Poverty and inequality within the EAC Partner States.
The Conference on Regional Integration is organized jointly between the East African Community Academic Research Network for Regional Integration (EACARNRI), the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) and the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence based at the University of Bradford, UK.
The above-mentioned are the main organizers of the prospective Arusha conference. But other stakeholders are in one way, or another engaged in the prospective Arusha conference, such as; the EAC Secretariat and the OBREAL Global.