Regional Bodies Address Drought, Environment, and Trade in East Africa - November 2025

Regional bodies in East Africa are addressing significant cross-border issues. The IGAD weather centre has predicted an intensified drought in the Horn of Africa, with forecasts of continued below-normal rainfall through January 2026 threatening millions across eastern Kenya, southeastern Ethiopia, and southern Somalia. Separately, the East African Community (EAC) launched the preview of the Lake Victoria State of the Basin Report 2025 at the COP30 conference in Brazil, assessing the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the basin. At the 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair, Rwanda advocated for a regional strategy to boost culture-driven entrepreneurship and market access for small businesses.