Africa is now emerging as the investment destination of choice with several multinationals trying to position their branches in different countries within the region. This is largely attributed to increasing population that forms a ready market in addition to provision of cheap labor. East African development is at a much faster pace than other regions as witnessed by several findings by economic and other financial institutions like the World Bank through their periodic reports.
The community consists of five countries which are Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda. The economic survey of these countries gives a picture of countries that are quickly developing in all areas be it politically, socially or economically having emerged from colonialism in just a few years ago.
The discovery of large oil deposits in both Kenya and Uganda with more exploration going on tells a story when it comes to the increasing interest in this region. The countries are also blessed with many valuable minerals with large copper deposits coming from Uganda and diamond from Tanzania.
It is the increase interest in these countries by the foreign investors that actually portrays the real picture of high economic growth rate. After emerging from a turbulent election in 2007, Kenyan economy has picked up attracting several multinational firms that are setting up their regional headquarters in Nairobi (Capital City of Kenya) with the focus of serving the entire Eastern and Central African Market.
The real development in the region is best witness from the huge infrastructural projects that are being implemented. All the five member states currently have several contractors working on their roads to ensure that they meet the international standards. The expansion of the Mombasa port to accommodate larger ship is also part of these initiatives.
Ambitious project of consolidating all East African member communities under one umbrella is at advanced stage. The completion of this process will see both political and economic integration of these countries with a single passport for the whole region and a single currency. This will foster trade and attract both tourists and investors to the region.
The major challenge facing East African development has to do with threat of terrorism and insecurity in general. The countries shares border with Somalia which has remained a conflict zone for decades and in home to Alshabaab- one of the largest terrorist organization in the world today. In addition to occasional terrorist attacks, there is high rate of firearm smuggling through the porous borders of these countries resulting to major insecurity challenges.
Very high population growth rate on the other hand does not auger well with this development plan. It leads to increased poverty levels, joblessness and other social evils. High rate of HIV infection in this region worsen the situation as they are part of the threats to economic growth in the region.
The huge agricultural potential in this region can be used as an opportunity to solve the concerns of joblessness. This is only possible with the adoption of appropriate technology that will allow for proper utilization of natural resources like many lakes and rivers in the region in addition to fertile lands, good climate and large markets in the developed countries to push East African development to the next level.
The community consists of five countries which are Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda. The economic survey of these countries gives a picture of countries that are quickly developing in all areas be it politically, socially or economically having emerged from colonialism in just a few years ago.
The discovery of large oil deposits in both Kenya and Uganda with more exploration going on tells a story when it comes to the increasing interest in this region. The countries are also blessed with many valuable minerals with large copper deposits coming from Uganda and diamond from Tanzania.
It is the increase interest in these countries by the foreign investors that actually portrays the real picture of high economic growth rate. After emerging from a turbulent election in 2007, Kenyan economy has picked up attracting several multinational firms that are setting up their regional headquarters in Nairobi (Capital City of Kenya) with the focus of serving the entire Eastern and Central African Market.
The real development in the region is best witness from the huge infrastructural projects that are being implemented. All the five member states currently have several contractors working on their roads to ensure that they meet the international standards. The expansion of the Mombasa port to accommodate larger ship is also part of these initiatives.
Ambitious project of consolidating all East African member communities under one umbrella is at advanced stage. The completion of this process will see both political and economic integration of these countries with a single passport for the whole region and a single currency. This will foster trade and attract both tourists and investors to the region.
The major challenge facing East African development has to do with threat of terrorism and insecurity in general. The countries shares border with Somalia which has remained a conflict zone for decades and in home to Alshabaab- one of the largest terrorist organization in the world today. In addition to occasional terrorist attacks, there is high rate of firearm smuggling through the porous borders of these countries resulting to major insecurity challenges.
Very high population growth rate on the other hand does not auger well with this development plan. It leads to increased poverty levels, joblessness and other social evils. High rate of HIV infection in this region worsen the situation as they are part of the threats to economic growth in the region.
The huge agricultural potential in this region can be used as an opportunity to solve the concerns of joblessness. This is only possible with the adoption of appropriate technology that will allow for proper utilization of natural resources like many lakes and rivers in the region in addition to fertile lands, good climate and large markets in the developed countries to push East African development to the next level.
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