East African leaders have described 2026 as a critical year for the region, highlighting opportunities for economic growth, peace, and regional cooperation.
In a joint statement, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan emphasized that the foundations laid in previous years position the region for transformative progress.
The leaders noted that 2025 presented both challenges and achievements, from political transitions to economic reforms. They called on citizens, governments, and businesses to work together to ensure stability, development, and shared prosperity.
They also highlighted the importance of addressing regional security issues, improving infrastructure, and boosting trade, saying that decisive action this year could set East Africa on a stronger trajectory for the next decade.
