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The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is far more than a high-level trade treaty—it is a practical springboard for everyday businesses across East Africa. By unifying 54 nations into a single market of 1.3 billion consumers with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion the agreement brings concrete opportunities directly to local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and service providers. For the East African Community (EAC)—where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generate over 80% of regional employment the AfCFTA provides the tools to transform local operations into continental powerhouses. 1. Opening Direct Access to Unapped Markets Historically, an East African business looking to export beyond neighboring states faced steep tariffs, unpredictable border procedures, and high transaction fees. 2. Strengthening Agro-Processing and Local Supply Chains Rather than exporting unprocessed commodities, East African enterprises can build value-added industries that serve continental demand. 3. Simplifying Payments and Removing Border Delays Two of the biggest hurdles for small-scale cross-border traders have been currency conversion friction and border point delays. 4. Supporting Women Traders and Youth Entrepreneurs Informal cross-border trade provides a livelihood for millions in East Africa, particularly women and young business owners. 5. Scaling Tech, Logistics, and Professional Services The trade agreement extends beyond physical goods to embrace services, digital trade, and intellectual property.   The AfCFTA changes the daily reality of doing business in East Africa. By dismantling trade barriers, lowering transaction costs, and creating a predictable legal framework, the agreement equips local entrepreneurs with the reach needed to scale beyond domestic borders. For East Africa’s vibrant business sector, the continental market is now open for business.

The Call for Abstracts has closed. Authors have been notified; accepted papers are presented in the Research & Policy Dialogues. See the programme. The East African Community Conference (EACON 2026) invites researchers, academics, policymakers, private sector actors, and development practitioners to submit original abstracts for presentation at its upcoming regional conference in Mogadishu, Somalia, scheduled for 12–13 October 2026. Themed “Deepening Somalia’s EAC Integration Through Treaty Domestication, Trade Competitiveness, and Human Capital Development,” EACON 2026 aims to stimulate evidence-based discourse and collaboration that supports regional integration, policy alignment, and sustainable development across East Africa. The conference provides a results-oriented platform for knowledge sharing and cross-sector engagement, featuring moderator-led Research & Policy Dialogues that give participants the opportunity to directly shape regional policy and practice. Thematic Tracks Contributors are encouraged to align their work with one of the following core thematic areas: 1. Theme 1: Domesticating EAC Protocols 2. Theme 2: Competitive Markets and Regional Trade Integration 3. Theme 3: Human Capital and the Future Workforce Submission Guidelines Participants are invited to submit anonymised abstracts (maximum 250 words) for academic research papers or evidence-based policy analyses. Submissions must strictly follow an anonymised blind-review process and be accompanied by a separate author information document containing co-author details and short biographies. Submission Timeline Submit Today This is your opportunity to contribute to shaping the East African development agenda through meaningful research and policy dialogue. Submit your anonymised abstract by July 30, 2026, and be part of a transformative regional conversation. Interested contributors must email their abstract and author details file to papers@eaccon.com. Accepted papers will be included in moderator-led policy sessions and considered for publication in the official EACON 2026 Conference Proceedings, Policy Brief Series, or official conference reports. For questions or additional information, please contact the organizing team at info@eaccon.com or papers@eaccon.com. For more information please refer to the submission guidelines attached here: