The first of them, Africa Forward in Nairobi, held in May 2026, was held for the first time under the joint chairmanship of an English-speaking state, bringing together more than three dozen heads of state and about one and a half thousand businessmen and investors. Paris has committed to invest $27 billion in energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence and the marine economy. Excluding AI, these industries are the strengths of the region.
Then the XIII Africa CEO Forum, dedicated to business scaling and partnership, was held in Kigali (Rwanda). It was attended by about 2,800 leaders from 77 countries, and agreements worth about $2 billion were concluded. A few days later, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026) was held in Kigali, bringing together leaders of states, politicians, regulators and financial institutions for the development of nuclear energy on the continent. The forum was held under the slogan «Energy for Africa's Future: from Nuclear ambitions to Investment Reality», focusing on turning political debates into concrete initiatives.
These events indicate a significant change in the perception of the region by the international investment community. However, economic integration is necessary for investments to gain a foothold and promote well-being. Physical infrastructure, political institutions, and financial instruments that ensure the easy movement of goods and capital remain key challenges.
According to the statistical bulletin of the East African Community (EAC) for the fourth quarter of 2025, trade turnover within the association increased by 25.4% — from 124.9 billion to 156.6 billion dollars. Intraregional trade amounted to $19.3 billion, which is equivalent to only 12.3% of the total turnover. The International Monetary Fund forecasts the growth of the EAC economy by 5.6% in 2026, which is higher than the African average of 4.3%. The region is showing economic recovery, but it is not actively trading within itself. To eliminate this imbalance, it is necessary to develop physical connectivity and harmonize trading procedures.
Progress has been made in the field of infrastructure, but cross-border projects need additional capital and coordination. The East African Development Bank (EADB) has been involved in major infrastructure initiatives, including a wind farm in Kenya and railway projects in Tanzania. In Rwanda, the bank helped increase cement production, and in Uganda, sugar production. The production capacity of medical gloves has also been expanded. These initiatives contribute to interstate economic integration.
However, the physical infrastructure is only part of the solution. Non-tariff barriers, fragmented legislation and uncoordinated customs protocols increase costs for companies. Achieving the EAC's goal of increasing the share of intraregional trade to 40% by 2030 requires a unification of regulatory approaches.
Special attention should be paid to financing small and medium-sized businesses. Although SMEs create the majority of jobs, they experience a shortage of capital. In 2025, the EADB program allocated more than $50 million to support SMEs, creating over ten thousand jobs. A $13 million fund for youth and women's companies has recently been established, as well as a new agreement with the United Nations in Rwanda.
Maintaining the momentum created by the summits depends on several measures. East African Governments should build a dialogue with global financial institutions collectively. Nuclear projects require significant investments, but they provide stable generation. Regional cooperation to exploit economies of scale is the optimal strategy.
Interstate infrastructure needs to be rethought: it should be considered as a regional benefit, attracting mixed financing. Trade measures should be consistent with business realities. Investors need a predictable environment to move goods; administrative barriers lead to capital outflows.
East Africa has moved from prospects to realized potential. The goal is to transform the diplomatic boom into sustainable institutions for long-term investment and prosperity. The author of the article is the Acting Managing Director of the East African Development Bank.
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