The East African Community (EAC) is running short of funds due to delays by several member countries to remit their budget share contributions.
Kenya, alongside Rwanda and Tanzania, is among the countries that have fully met their obligations for the 2024/2025 financial year.
According to figures released by Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya has paid its entire Ksh 900 billion (USD 7,007,747) contribution on time, reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation.
“Over the last two decades, the Republic of Kenya has contributed a total of USD 186,532,022, which is equivalent to Kshs 24 billion (Kshs 24,249,262,860 at the current exchange rate), to the East African Community (EAC). These contributions are based on Article 132 (4) of the EAC treaty, which mandates that the community’s budget be funded by equal contributions from all partner states,” read part of the report.
How EAC Countries Contributed
Kenya and Rwanda have each paid their contributions in full (100%). Each country’s contribution amounts to Ksh 906.2 million (USD 7,007,747).
Additionally, Tanzania has fully paid its current contribution of Ksh 906.2 million (USD 7,007,747) but still has arrears of Ksh 15.9 million (USD 122,694).
Uganda has exceeded its required contribution, paying Ksh 926.2 million (USD 7,161,224), or 102%, which results in a credit balance of Ksh 19.8 million (USD 153,477).
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South Sudan and DRC Struggle to Meet EAC Budget Obligations
However, other member states are lagging far behind. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan are the most indebted.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has paid Ksh 129.3 million (USD 1 million), or 14% of its contribution, and has the highest total outstanding balance of Ksh 2.68 billion (USD 20.7 million), including Ksh 1.9 billion (USD 14.7 million) in arrears.
South Sudan has contributed Ksh 64.7 million (USD 499,926) — only 7% of its current dues — and still owes a total of Ksh 1.95 billion (USD 15.1 million), including arrears of Ksh 1.11 billion (USD 8.6 million).
Burundi has paid Ksh 171.1 million (USD 1,322,187), which is just 19% of its current contribution. The country still owes a total of Ksh 2.04 billion (USD 15,770,944), which includes Ksh 1.29 billion (USD 10 million) in arrears.
Somalia has paid Ksh 452.7 million (USD 3.5 million), which is 50% of its expected contribution, and has an outstanding balance of Ksh 452.7 million (USD 3.5 million).
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EALA Struggles Financially
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) passed a rationalized budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, which includes a total reduction of Ksh 2,586,800 (USD 20,000) and a reduced contribution of Ksh 323,350 (USD 2,500) per partner state. The Community, however, continues to struggle with its operations, and July salaries and other statutory obligations remain unpaid.
“The Secretariat continue to struggle in its operations due to funding challenges as it has been borrowing from the confederation kitty, which is now exhausted,” read part of the report.
“The Secretariat has confirmed that it has dispatched debit notes to Partner States with arrears to make good their payment to avoid bringing to a halt the Community’s operation.”
| NO | PARTNER STATE | ARREARS | CONTRIBUTION DUE 2024/2025 | CONTRIBUTION PAID 2024/2025 | % PAID | TOTAL OUTSTANDING |
| 1 | BURUNDI | 10,085,384 | 7,007,747 | 1,322,187 | 19% | 15,770,944 |
| 2 | DRC | 14,704,248 | 7,007,747 | 1,000,000 | 14% | 20,711,995 |
| 3 | KENYA | – | 7,007,747 | 7,007,747 | 100% | – |
| 4 | RWANDA | – | 7,007,747 | 7,007,747 | 100% | – |
| 5 | SOMALIA | – | 7,007,747 | 3,500,000 | 50% | 3,507,747 |
| 6 | SOUTH SUDAN | 8,610,255 | 7,007,747 | 499,926 | 7% | 15,118,076 |
| 7 | TANZANIA | 122,694 | 7,007,747 | 7,007,747 | 100% | 122,694 |
| 8 | UGANDA | – | 7,007,747 | 7,161,224 | 102% | (153,477) |
| TOTAL | 33,522,581 | 56,061,976 | 32,752,369 | 58% | 56,832,189 |
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