Taxing the treaty: The fiscal maze facing EA trade

By Edditrice Marco

In my previous personal commentary published on May 25, 2026, titled "Can the Samia-Ruto $1 billion target finally break the structural wall?" I discussed the positive momentum generated by diplomatic engagements between our regional heads of state.

In that analysis, I highlighted the shared commitment of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President William Ruto of Kenya to address long-standing trade blocks and target an ambitious $1 billion bilateral trade volume. Recently, I became keen to learn what progress has been made against the June 30th deadline for the Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) milestone. My research confirms some key positives.

Taxing the treaty: The fiscal maze facing EA trade

Other newsrooms on this story

Related reading

Can the Samia-Ruto $1 billion target finally break the structural wall?

Can the Samia-Ruto $1bn target finally break the structural wall?

Kenya’s Finance Bill contrary to its pledge on trade barriers

When the gavel falls silent everyone notices

New Excise Duty clause in Finance Bill threatens Sh350b trade in EAC

Tanzanian glass manufacturer protests Kenya’s proposed tax