East Africa Without Borders: How Close Are We to a Single Market?

Summary

Can East Africa become a truly integrated market?

In Episode 6 of The Insight Edge, host Ashif Kassam sits down with Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the East African Business Council, to explore the progress, opportunities and challenges shaping East Africa's journey towards deeper regional integration.

With 26 years of the East African Community journey behind us, how far has the region really come? Farah Ahmed shares insights on intra-regional trade, barriers to doing business across borders, regional value chains, investment opportunities and the role of the private sector in turning East Africa's integration ambitions into reality.

In this episode, we explore:

• How far East Africa has come towards becoming a single market
• The untapped potential of intra-regional trade
• Barriers holding back cross-border business
• Regional value chains and competitive advantage
• What AfCFTA means for East African businesses
• The role of SMEs in regional trade and investment
• Creating a more attractive investment destination
• Why removing friction at borders matters for business competitiveness
• The role of the private sector in driving regional integration

The conversation also explores the economic cost of trade barriers, the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the need to scale businesses across borders and why East Africa must think beyond individual markets to unlock its full potential.