Overall, Rwanda’s long term development vision, as articulated in the Vision 2020, is to become a lower middle income economy (US$ 900 per capita) operating as a knowledge-based service hub by 2020. One of the six pillars of this development strategy is regional integration by lealising the potential of regional integration in the achievement of its vision. Rwanda, in 1996 showed interest to join the East African Community and in 2007 Rwanda officially joined the EAC.

The Ministry of East African Community was established by the Government of Rwanda in 2008 in line with EAC member states’ joint commitment to establish national coordinating ministries with primary responsibility for EAC matters. MINEAC serves as an operational link between the Government of Rwanda and other national stakeholders, and the EAC organs and Institutions.

Though a lot of work lies ahead, it is essential that we recognise the significant achievements already made. In terms of the Ministry, it is clear that it has the benefit of highly dedicated leadership and committed staff, with excellent skills and positive attitudes to work. Institutionally, it actively participated in acceding the Treaty establishing EAC and Customs Union Protocol in the development of EAC Projects and Programmes, in negotiations and signing of the EAC Common Market and Monetary Union Protocols and ultimately Political Federation.

The Ministry has built strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders at national and regional levels. The level of public knowledge on EAC integration matter has increased and the Ministry has chaired the Community with great success. These achievements have contributed to the high levels of political visibility of Rwanda in the East African Community. Now and in the future, MINEAC has works with a wide range of GoR, private sector and civil society stakeholders, and ensure their effective engagement in EAC integration.

To be able to achieve this, the Ministry is working and improving its coordination mechanism through a wide range of tools such as increased communication, effective M&E mechanism and help as much in increasing links between regional and national plans and long term visions and their planning cycles.