In Juba, South Sudan, the 1st Advisory Council and 30th General Assemblies under EACO were launched, with over 250 regional stakeholders convened under the theme, "Shaping the Future of the East African Region through Digital Transformation." The high-level event on 9-13 June 2025 was hosted by the National Communication Authority (NCA).
This landmark congregating marks a significant milestone for EACO, as it signals the inauguration of the Advisory Council meeting-a forum consisting of Members and Partners that meet once every two years to adopt and coordinate recommendations from the different Assemblies. Together with the Advisory Council, the four annual Assemblies of EACO-i.e., Regulators, Postal Operators, Telecommunications Operators, and Broadcasting Operators-have also convened in Juba for discussions concerning the regional ICT landscape.
Digital transformation and inclusive growth in focus
Day 1 focused on digital transformation as a critical dimension towards unlocking East African socio-economic development potential. Loads of thematic sessions were debated, including the following topics:
South Sudan hosting the Assemblies enhances NCA's regional leadership in telecommunications matters and projects to establish a digital hub.
"When we deliberate over the coming days, let us remain aware that the policies, recommendations, and standards we adopt here will ultimately touch many lives," stated Mr Gieth Mathiang Kon, Director General of NCA, during the opening day.
Regional leaders join forces to frame ICT policy
Day Two was marked by the official inauguration of the General Assemblies, drawing together regulatory and operational stakeholders from across East Africa. The arrival of Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance from Uganda was warmly welcomed by top officials from the host country. The participation of such senior policymakers surely demonstrates a shared commitment to the region harmonising its ICT policy and regulatory framework with regional priorities and the African Union’s digital transformation agenda.
Marking a new chapter in regional ICT leadership
Reflecting the successful conclusion of the 1st Advisory Council meetings, the National Communication Authority announced that the 1st Advisory Council meetings had come to a close after being held from 11 to 13 June 2025 in Juba.
The final day was characterised by a comprehensive report from the outgoing Chair of EACO, Dr. Samuel Muhizi of Burundi, offering key reflections on the organisation's progress and its strategic priorities. However, a significant moment in the proceedings saw the official handover of the EACO chairmanship from Dr. Muhizi to Mr. Gieth Kon Mathiang, Director-General of the NCA, South Sudan.
In their final moments, the meetings adopted a Final Communiqué that encapsulated crucial resolutions and undertakings from member states aimed at enhancing collaboration and expediting digital transformation across East Africa.
The interface for collaboration and regional integration
EACO remains firmly positioned in coordinating the regional space for inclusive and sustainable growth through digital transformation. These instruments- the Advisory Council and General Assembly- pave the way for peer learning, policy alignment, and institutional collaboration enhancement among the telecommunications sector of East Africa.
As a participant in iPRIS, EACO plays a pivotal role in assisting national national regulatory authorities (NRAs) as they strive to implement their change initiatives in their respective countries.
For more updates from the EACO 1st Advisory Council and 30th General Assemblies, follow the official proceedings here
For more information on the role of Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs) like EACO in iPRIS, click here
iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).
iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).
The 29th Annual Assemblies and Extraordinary Congress of EACO will take place from 24-28 June 2024 at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), this event will provide a unique platform for EACO members and stakeholders to interact, network, exchange experiences, and share insights under the theme "Promoting Digital Transformation in the EAC Region." Delegates to these Assemblies will include policymakers, legislators, regulators, ICT sector operators/service providers, academia, and ICT consumers from across the East African region.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bengt Mölleryd from SPIDER will deliver a keynote address during the high-level roundtable discussion on "Promoting Digital Transformation in the EAC Region" on the first day of the Assemblies. The roundtable will follow the official opening, presided over by Mr. Eliud Owalo, ICT Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, and the unveiling of EACO regional statistics. It will also feature prominent figures from Tanzania's Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology, Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), South Sudan's National Communications Authority (NCA), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Safaricom Kenya and the African Advanced Level Telecommunication Institute (AFRALTI).
The Assemblies will also feature workshops, committee and working group meetings, assemblies’ meetings, and an Extraordinary Congress over the course of the five days.
Download the programme here
The East African Communications Organization (EACO) is pleased to announce its 29th Annual Assemblies and the Extra-Ordinary Congress, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 24th to 29th June 2024.
EACO Assemblies namely: Assembly of Regulators, Assembly of Postal Operators, Assembly of Telecommunications operators and Assembly of Broadcasting Operators meet every year. The Congress, which is the highest decision-making organ of EACO, meets every two years. However, an Extra-ordinary EACO Congress will take place on the sidelines of the Annual Assemblies in Nairobi, Kenya on 28th June 2024. The Extra-ordinary Congress will be dedicated to amendment of the EACO Constitution. The meetings of Assemblies will include two workshops that will discuss current technologies and key issues in the Postal and Communication sectors. This event will create unique opportunities for EACO members and stakeholders to interact, network, exchange and share experiences under the Theme: "Promoting Digital Transformation in the East African Region".
Delegates to the Assemblies will comprise of policy makers, legislators, regulators and operators/service providers in the ICT sector, the academia and consumers of ICT services in the East African region. Preparations for the events are well underway by the host (Communications Authority of Kenya), on behalf of the Republic of Kenya, together with EACO, who invites you to participate in these meetings. A formal invitation will follow in due course. Further details and information about the Assemblies and Extra-Ordinary Congress will be available on EACO website http://www.eaco.int and Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) website http://ca.go.ke by the end of April 2024. We look forward to your active participation in the above events!
For more information visit the EACO website
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