3rd Edition · Mogadishu, Somalia · 12–13 October 2026
East African Community Conference 2026
Deepening Somalia’s EAC Integration Through Treaty Domestication, Trade Competitiveness and Human Capital Development
Hybrid — in Mogadishu and streamed online · English and Somali interpretation
EACON 2026 Convenes in Mogadishu, 12–13 October 2026
Co-Organized By
About EACON 2026
The East African Community Conference 2026 (EACON 2026) is a two-day regional conference taking place from 12–13 October 2026 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Under the theme “Deepening Somalia’s EAC Integration Through Treaty Domestication, Trade Competitiveness and Human Capital Development,” the conference will bring together government institutions, EAC representatives, investors, development partners, businesses, universities, civil society and young leaders. EACON 2026 will promote practical dialogue, strategic partnerships and actionable solutions that strengthen Somalia’s implementation of EAC commitments, improve regional competitiveness, mobilise investment and develop a skilled, future-ready workforce.
EACON 2026 at a glance
A hybrid conference — in person in Mogadishu and online — with simultaneous English and Somali interpretation.
delegates
countries represented
EAC Partner States
ministers & heads of institutions
regional & international speakers
companies & business associations
development partners
universities & research institutions
Why now
Integration must deliver economic value
Across Africa, regional integration is increasingly judged not by accession alone, but by its ability to deliver measurable outcomes. EACON 2026 focuses on the practical conditions that turn Somalia’s EAC membership into results.
A 300-million-person market
The EAC is one of Africa’s most advanced blocs, with a combined economy above USD 300 billion. Access alone does not deliver — Somali institutions, firms and ports must be ready to compete.
AfCFTA widens the opportunity
EAC protocols intersect with the African Continental Free Trade Area, unlocking deep regional value chains for a country with strategic maritime access.
From promotion to bankable projects
The shift needed is from general investment promotion to credible pipelines, PPPs, risk-sharing mechanisms and diaspora capital.
Somalia and the East African Community
The eighth Partner State
Somalia acceded to the EAC in 2024, joining Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the DR Congo. EACON 2026 is where that membership is turned into practical cooperation.
people in one market
combined economy
The frameworks that make it work
Customs Union
A common external tariff and free movement of goods
Common Market Protocol
Free movement of services, labour, capital and people
EAC Vision 2050
A competitive, industrialised and integrated region
Monetary Union agenda
Convergence towards a single East African currency
Theme of This Year
"Deepening Somalia’s EAC Integration Through Treaty Domestication, Trade Competitiveness and Human Capital Development"
The theme of EACON 2026, “Deepening Somalia’s EAC Integration Through Treaty Domestication, Trade Competitiveness and Human Capital Development”, moves beyond general dialogue on regional integration and focuses on the practical conditions required to turn Somalia’s EAC membership into measurable economic and institutional outcomes. It asks how Somalia can strengthen competitive markets, mobilise bankable regional investments, develop future-ready human capital, and unlock its blue economy and port-to-market value chains as core drivers of regional competitiveness. Discussions are organised around four strategic pillars: domesticating EAC integration and institutional readiness; competitive markets, trade and regional connectivity; strategic investments, bankable projects and economic transformation; and human capital, innovation and the future workforce.
Four Strategic Pillars
Every session of the programme contributes to one of four interconnected pillars.
Pillar I
Domesticating EAC Integration & Institutional Readiness
Alignment of laws, policies and institutions with EAC commitments; regulatory gaps; coordination and compliance.
Pillar II
Competitive Markets, Trade & Regional Connectivity
Customs, standards, trade facilitation, ports and corridors; Somali firms in the Common Market and AfCFTA.
Pillar III
Strategic Investments, Bankable Projects & Economic Transformation
PPPs, diaspora finance and bankable projects in infrastructure, energy, livestock, agriculture, logistics and the blue economy.
Pillar IV
Human Capital, Innovation & Future Workforce Development
Education, TVET, accreditation and labour mobility; entrepreneurship, digital transformation and AI for future jobs.
Speakers
Voices shaping the dialogue
Heads of state, ministers, EAC institutions, business leaders and scholars from across the Community.
H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President of the Federal Republic of Somalia · Guest of Honour
Dr. Abdikarim Mohidin Ahmed
Rector, SIMAD University
Prof. Idris A. Rai
Executive Secretary, IUCEA
Mr. Ahmed Farah
Executive Director, East African Business Council
Prof. Dr. Thoko Kaime
Chair of African Legal Studies, University of Bayreuth
Participants
The Dialogue will convene approximately 200–250 participants including:
Federal Government Institutions
Federal Member States
EAC Member States
Parliamentarians
EAC Secretariat
Development Partners
Institutional Investors
Private Sector Representatives
Chambers of Commerce
Development Finance Institutions
Universities and Research Institutions
Innovation Hubs
Blue Economy and Maritime Stakeholders
Youth and Women's Organizations
Civil Society Organizations
Three editions in Mogadishu
EACON has convened the region in Mogadishu every year since Somalia’s accession — each edition building on the last.
2024
EACON 2024
The first edition
300+ delegates · MoU with IUCEA · 1,000-scholarship initiative
2025
EACON 2025
From integration to implementation
350+ delegates · two policy briefs · four thematic areas
2026
EACON 2026
Deepening Somalia’s EAC integration
12–13 October · four strategic pillars · the EACON Declaration
What EACON 2026 will produce
The conference is designed as an implementation platform, not a talking shop. Rapporteurs capture every session and consolidate recommendations into published outputs that carry the work forward.
The EACON Declaration
Priority commitments and recommendations for accelerating Somalia’s EAC domestication and regional competitiveness.
Stronger policy and institutional coordination
To support implementation of EAC commitments and regional integration priorities.
Actionable policy recommendations
On trade, investment, human capital, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and energy transition.
A pipeline of bankable projects
Priority investment opportunities in regional value chains, infrastructure, renewable energy, the blue economy and private-sector development.
Programme
Two days at a glance
Keynotes, ministerial dialogues, four pillar sessions, executive roundtables and fireside chats — ending with the EACON 2026 Declaration.
Day 1
Monday 12 October
Arrival and networking coffee
Welcome and opening remarks; ministerial remarks
Keynotes: EAC, AfCFTA and UNECA
Presidential remarks and official opening
Fireside Chat: Somalia’s journey into the EAC
Panel 1: Competitive markets without borders
Day 2
Tuesday 13 October
Investment and financing keynotes
Panel 2: Financing Somalia’s regional transformation
Panel 3: Corridors, ports and the blue economy
Panel 4: Building an East African workforce
Plenary synthesis: from dialogue to action
The EACON 2026 Declaration
Venue
Hangar, Aden Adde International Airport
EACON 2026 convenes at the Hangar inside Mogadishu’s airport zone — minutes from the arrivals hall, with partner hotels and secure transfers arranged for delegates.
Getting there
Hangar, AAIA
Inside the Aden Adde International Airport zone
Minutes from arrivals
Delegates are met at the airport and transferred within the zone
Partner hotels nearby
Conference rates, secure compounds and shuttles on both days
Secured zone
Access-controlled, with screening at the gate
Gallery
Two editions, in pictures
Plenaries, dialogues and the people who made EACON 2024 and 2025 — with full albums on Google Drive.
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