East African Trade Developments and Disputes - July 2025

Kenya and Uganda signed eight new bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Nairobi, building on 17 existing agreements to strengthen cooperation across key sectors, with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto witnessing the ceremony. Despite this progress, both leaders raised concerns over existing trade restrictions within East Africa. However, Kenya has strongly criticized new trade restrictions and tax measures implemented by Tanzania, including changes in their Finance Act 2025 and Excise (Management and Tariff) Act 2019, viewing them as detrimental to inter-regional trade and the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda. These Tanzanian measures are perceived to specifically lock out Kenyan firms.