Arusha, Tanzania – Tuesday, September 9, 2025:- A delegation from the Embassy of the United States of America, led by Mr. Bion N. Bliss (Deputy Political and Economic Chief) accompanied by Mr. Bret Tate (Agricultural Counselor), Mr. Benjamin P. Mtaki (Agricultural Specialist) and Mr. Buberwa James Mukurasi Economic Specialist, paid a courtesy visit to the East African Business Council (EABC) Secretariat.
In his remarks, Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, EABC Acting Executive Director, emphasized that the EABC is committed to championing Private Sector EAC–U.S. Commercial Dialogue as a mechanism to boost trade and investment flows between the two partners. He underscored that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been instrumental in supporting the development of key value chains such as the textiles and apparel sector in the region. To ensure business predictability and safeguard jobs in these sectors, Mr. Njau urged the U.S. Congress to renew AGOA and extend preferential market access. He cautioned that failure to renew AGOA, combined with high production costs in the region, would undermine competitiveness, noting that the EAC remains a net importer from the United States.
Mr. Bion N. Bliss, Deputy Political and Economic Chief, reiterated the United States’ commitment to commercial diplomacy as a driver of shared prosperity.
Mr. Njau also emphasized the importance of the East African Community (EAC) negotiating trade and investment agreements as a single bloc with third parties, in order to align with regional integration commitments under the Customs Union Protocol, avoid trade diversion and boost intra-EAC trade.
The discussions identified several priority areas for collaboration with the United States, including:
- Advancing investment-ready projects,
- Promoting cross-border data flows,
- Harmonizing standards,
- Developing a Regional Investment Treaty,
- Enhancing private sector trade capacity, and
- Supporting compliance with U.S. trade regulations.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Njau extended an invitation to the U.S. delegation to participate in the upcoming East African Business & Investment Summit & Expo, scheduled for October 16–17, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, as a strategic platform to deepen engagement with regional private sector leaders and policymakers.
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 8 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community. EABC vision is a borderless East Africa for business and investment that delivers social and economic prosperity. The primary mission is to advocate for a conducive business environment and promote sustainable private sector – driven growth in the EAC region. www.eabc-online.com
he U.S. Embassy engages actively in strengthening agricultural trade and investment partnerships between the United States and the East African Community (EAC). Through its Agricultural Section, the Embassy provides technical expertise, promotes compliance with U.S. trade standards, and supports initiatives aimed at enhancing food security, value addition, and export competitiveness. The section also facilitates market linkages, knowledge exchange, and innovation to advance sustainable agricultural growth across the region.
