In June 2023, Tanzania stopped issuing export permits to Kenyans seeking to import maize from the country in what it described as a move to ensure its food security.
At the time, the decision triggered a diplomatic row between the two countries after reports emerged that over 200 Kenyan trucks had been blocked from leaving Tanzania.
In an interview with Citizen TV, on Thursday, June 29, East Africa Community (EAC), ASAL's & Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano revealed that President William Ruto's government was pursuing a new agreement to avoid a repeat of the scenario.
The CS stated that a sectoral council drawn from all EAC countries was formulating policies to ensure all member states operated on a common price for commodities.
“The sectoral council which meets bi-annually is working on implementing common customs and tariffs,” the CS revealed.
Under the arrangement, all EAC member states will share common prices for commodities ensuring that Kenyans do not rush for cheap maize in Tanzania.
According to the CS, the prevailing trend by Kenyan traders of buying maize in bulk was hurting both countries .
“On one hand, one country will be wary of depleting its resources and on the other hand, farmers from the other country will be fearful of making loses due to flooding of imported maize,” she explained.
With a free market, every farmer in East Africa will be assured of fetching a standard price for commodities.
The CS also revealed that plans were in top gear to have EAC countries operate under a common currency to boost regional trade.
She explained that Central Bank governors and Treasury ministers from all countries were formulating robust policies pertaining foreign currency, inflation and foreign reserves before rolling out the common currency.
Miano explained that the common currency, initially scheduled to be rolled out in 2024, was pushed to 2031 due to international economic shocks.
