EAC Ministers Adopt Regional Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Strategies, Approve Establishment of Regional AI Foundational Module for Universities

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania 31^st October, 2026: The East African Community (EAC) Ministers responsible for Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports have adopted the EAC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, the EAC Digital Transformation Strategy and the EAC Biotechnology Strategy, paving the way for a coordinated regional approach to emerging technologies, digital innovation and knowledge-driven economic transformation.

The Ministers also approved an Artificial Intelligence Foundational Module for Higher Education Institutions and directed the development of AI certification benchmarks for Kiswahili, reinforcing the Community's commitment to equipping East Africans with future-ready digital skills while leveraging Kiswahili as a regional language of innovation.
The decisions were made during the Ministerial Session of the 21st Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports held from 27^th to 31^st October 2026 at the newly completed headquarters of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) in Kampala, Uganda. The Ministerial Session was preceded by sessions of Senior Officials and Permanent Secretaries.

Addressing the Ministers, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Ariik Malueth, underscored the need for education systems that prepare young people for a rapidly evolving labour market through stronger foundational learning and teacher development.

"As we consider outstanding decisions and new proposals, I urge that our directives identify responsible institutions, achievable timelines and the resources required," said Hon. Malueth.

The EAC Secretariat, in collaboration with the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), developed the regional Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Biotechnology Strategies. The three strategies provide a common regional framework for the development and application of technology across key sectors including education, agriculture, healthcare, industry and public administration, while addressing challenges related to infrastructure, skills development, policy and governance.

In advancing regional cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, the Ministers approved the establishment and operationalisation of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Network of Universities to strengthen collaboration in AI education, research and innovation across the region. The Sectoral Council further endorsed three regional AI instruments for teacher education, covering curriculum and competency, institutional policy and code of conduct.

The approved AI Foundational Module is intended to equip undergraduate students with essential knowledge and practical competencies in AI, irrespective of their academic disciplines. Partner States were directed to consider its adoption across university degree programmes, while IUCEA was tasked with developing a regional implementation framework to guide its rollout.

Recognising the growing importance of Kiswahili in the digital era, the Ministers agreed on the development of AI certification benchmarks for Kiswahili and welcomed ongoing efforts by the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) to strengthen the use of Kiswahili as an official language of the Community.

The Sectoral Council also adopted the EAC Kiswahili Language Policy and recommended its submission to the EAC Council of Ministers for consideration and approval. The Ministers further endorsed measures aimed at strengthening national coordination mechanisms, expanding Kiswahili training programmes and supporting youth-driven digital content development.

On regional integration in higher education, the Sectoral Council considered the implementation of the Council directive requiring students from EAC Partner States to be accorded the same tuition fee regime as national students and to pay fees in the host country's local currency. The Ministers noted that some universities were yet to fully implement the decision and recommended a comprehensive regional assessment covering both public and private institutions.

To this end, IUCEA, working with national higher education regulatory agencies under the coordination of Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs, will undertake an assessment and report its findings to the 23rd Sectoral Council.

The Ministers also approved the EAC Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Qualifications Framework, which is expected to promote comparability, recognition and mobility of qualifications across Partner States. The Sectoral Council has directed the EAC Secretariat to develop implementation guidelines, while Partner States were urged to align relevant national policies and regulatory frameworks accordingly.

With regard to professional mobility, the Sectoral Council called for the accelerated alignment of Mutual Recognition Agreements for engineers, architects, accountants and veterinarians with Annex VII of the EAC Common Market Protocol to facilitate cross-border practice and enhance labour mobility within the Community. The Ministers noted that the EAC digital platform for engineers, launched in June 2026, provides a useful model for extending similar arrangements to other professions.

Chairing the Ministerial Session, Uganda's Minister of State for Education and Sports (Primary Education), Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, emphasised the importance of removing barriers that hinder the recognition of qualifications and professional practice across the region.

"We must work collectively to remove unnecessary barriers to the recognition of qualifications while safeguarding professional standards and the quality of services delivered across our Partner States," said Hon. Chemutai.

On culture and sports, the Republic of Kenya confirmed its readiness to host the 6th Edition of the East African Community Arts and Culture Festival (JAMAFEST) in Nairobi, with a proposed thematic focus on leveraging AI and digital technologies to preserve and promote cultural heritage and tourism. The Ministers approved the JAMAFEST theme and implementation roadmap for February 2027 and directed the EAC Secretariat to develop a three-year calendar of regional cultural and sports flagship events.

The Sectoral Council further reviewed preparations for Pamoja AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The Ministers noted that the proposed regional framework presents opportunities to promote tourism, cultural exchange, youth engagement, business networking and regional visibility during the tournament. The EAC Secretariat was therefore directed to convene technical experts from Partner States to review the draft concept note for EAC participation by November 2026.

Hon. Chemutai called upon the Partner States to expedite implementation of the proposed Pamoja Visa arrangements to facilitate seamless movement of fans, tourists and businesses across the three host countries during the tournament.

The Sectoral Council acknowledged financial and resource constraints affecting programme implementation and expressed appreciation to development partners, including the Government of Germany, the European Union and the World Bank, for supporting regional initiatives, including the EAC AI Alliance.

"Sustained national financing, stronger private-sector partnerships and adequate institutional capacity are essential to carry these programmes forward," noted Hon. Malueth.

At the close of the meeting, IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai, observed that the Sectoral Council marked the first EAC Organ meeting to be hosted at the institution's newly completed headquarters. He described the facility as a strategic regional platform for advancing cooperation in higher education, research and innovation across East Africa.

Following the Ministerial Session, the Ministers officially inaugurated the new IUCEA Headquarters.

For more information, please contact:
Doreen Nakure
Communications and Advocacy Expert
EAC Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.eac.int

About the East African Community:
The East African Community is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising eight Partner States: the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Its headquarters are in Arusha, Tanzania.