Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) have set a June 30, 2026 deadline to eliminate remaining non-tariff barriers, in a renewed push to deepen regional trade and integration.

The decision, reached at the bloc's 25th Ordinary Summit in Arusha on March 7, underscores efforts to remove longstanding obstacles that continue to slow the movement of goods across member states.

Non-tariff barriers, ranging from bureaucratic delays and inconsistent standards to restrictive licensing regimes, have long raised the cost of doing business within the region.

Studies by TradeMark Africa show such barriers create uncertainty, delay shipments and weaken the competitiveness of local firms, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

Recent data from the EAC Secretariat highlight both progress and gaps. Intra-regional trade rose to $4.8 billion in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 15 per cent increase from a year earlier.

Yet, this still represents only about 15 per cent of the bloc's total trade, pointing to limited internal integration.

By comparison, trade with the rest of Africa stood at $10.1 billion, or 32.2 per cent, suggesting businesses continue to look beyond the region for opportunities.

The imbalance contrasts with the EAC's long-term vision of a fully integrated economic bloc built on a customs union, common market and, eventually, a monetary union. In practice, however, non-tariff barriers, especially in agriculture and food trade, remain a major constraint.

Tensions between Kenya and Uganda in 2025 illustrate the problem. Restrictions affecting Ugandan dairy exports to Kenya, including delays in issuing permits, disrupted supply chains and hit producers in a sector that processes millions of litres of milk daily.

The frictions exposed how policy inconsistencies can undermine regional trade even where formal agreements exist.

Faced with these constraints, some businesses have begun to pivot outward. Ugandan dairy exporters, for instance, have explored alternative markets, including a proposed deal to supply Nigeria with up to 200,000 metric tonnes of powdered milk, valued at over $1 billion. The shift highlights how internal trade barriers can redirect commerce away from the regional market the EAC is trying to build.

The new deadline places pressure on member states to move from commitments to implementation. Analysts say success will depend on whether governments align domestic regulations with regional rules and reduce discretionary practices at borders.

For a bloc seeking to strengthen its position within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), removing these bottlenecks is seen as critical.

Without tangible progress, the EAC risks falling short of its integration goals and missing out on the broader gains of intra-African trade.