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EABC Appoints New Director, Signals Regional Integration Focus

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. director-signals-regional-integration-focus.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, February 11th 2026 at 12:35 GMT by The Citizen
      Locales: TANZANIA UNITED REPUBLIC OF, KENYA

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - February 11, 2026 - The East African Business Council (EABC) officially entered a new era today, with Ahmed Farah assuming the role of Executive Director. The appointment, effective February 1st, signals a strategic shift for the organization, one focused on deepening regional integration and accelerating economic growth across the East African Community (EAC). Farah succeeds Peter Muraya, whose tenure saw significant strides in private sector advocacy, and now inherits a mandate to build on those achievements while charting a course for future innovation.

Farah's arrival is particularly timely. The EAC, comprised of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, stands at a pivotal juncture. While the promise of a unified market with free movement of goods, services, capital, and people is enshrined in the EAC Treaty, practical implementation has faced persistent challenges. Non-tariff barriers, infrastructural deficits, and inconsistencies in regulatory frameworks continue to hamper cross-border trade and investment. The EABC, as the premier private sector advocacy group, is uniquely positioned to address these issues and unlock the region's considerable economic potential.

Sources close to the EABC Board suggest Farah's selection wasn't merely based on his impressive credentials in international trade and public-private partnerships - which include a decade spent fostering investment links between African nations and international markets - but also on his forward-thinking vision. He is reportedly a strong proponent of leveraging technology to streamline trade processes, emphasizing digital solutions for customs clearance, logistics, and payments. This ambition aligns with the EAC's own digital transformation agenda and recognizes the crucial role technology plays in reducing transaction costs and enhancing competitiveness.

Beyond digitalization, Farah is expected to prioritize the development of regional value chains. Currently, much of the EAC's economic activity centers around the export of raw materials. Farah believes that adding value locally, through processing and manufacturing, is essential for creating jobs, boosting incomes, and increasing export earnings. This necessitates addressing key constraints, such as access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), inadequate skills development, and limited access to regional markets.

"We need to move beyond simply trading commodities," Farah stated in a pre-appointment interview with East African Business Weekly. "The real opportunity lies in building integrated value chains that connect businesses across the EAC, allowing them to specialize, innovate, and compete effectively in the global market. This requires a concerted effort from governments, the private sector, and development partners."

The EABC's role in this endeavor will be multifaceted. Farah is anticipated to strengthen the organization's advocacy efforts, pushing for policy reforms that promote investment and facilitate trade. He also intends to enhance the EABC's capacity building programs, providing training and technical assistance to SMEs to help them meet international standards and participate in regional value chains. Crucially, he plans to foster closer collaboration with EAC institutions, such as the East African Court of Justice, to ensure a level playing field for businesses and resolve disputes efficiently.

The appointment also arrives amidst growing regional geopolitical complexities, including ongoing conflicts and security concerns in several member states. A stable and secure environment is, of course, fundamental for attracting investment and promoting economic growth. While the EABC's primary focus remains economic, Farah understands the need to work with governments and other stakeholders to address these security challenges and create a more conducive business climate. He has previously advocated for the establishment of a regional conflict early warning system, utilizing data analytics and intelligence gathering to identify and mitigate potential risks.

The EABC Board has signaled that a detailed outline of Farah's strategic priorities and initiatives will be unveiled at a regional business forum scheduled for next month in Nairobi. Analysts predict this forum will be a key event for gauging the direction of the EABC under Farah's leadership and for understanding the organization's roadmap for achieving its ambitious goals. The coming years will undoubtedly be critical for the EAC's integration process, and all eyes will be on Ahmed Farah and the EABC as they strive to unlock the region's full potential.