East African Perspective

East Africa matters globally. From trade & security to climate & culture, we bring you Africa on the world stage. 🎙️ @benjamin_watch & @ThomasLesaffre

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Carried by our own voice, The East African Perspective with @Benjamin_Watch and @ThomasLesaffre moves exclusively to @PlayitLoudNow, streaming conversations on power, markets, and borders for free on the app and at https://t.co/wQ6rEethZq, serving our region and the world.

[Fintech Association of Kenya @FINTAK_Official]

The East African Community is facing a severe operational and staffing crisis after member state defaults helped drain its General Reserve Fund to just $23, leaving a funding gap of $89 million and putting retiring employees at risk of going without gratuity. The EAC Council of Ministers, which met in Arusha from May 18 to 22, warned that 163 of the secretariat’s 439 established posts are vacant, while another 43 staff are expected to leave by June 2027. Nearly half of the temporary workers were sent home in June last year, weakening key functions across immigration, accounts, labour, the regional court, parliament and other organs. The East African Court of Justice is among the institutions operating with skeleton staff, affecting the delivery of justice.

The council has directed a three-phase recruitment plan, starting with 95 priority positions in the 2026/27 financial year, followed by replacements for 61 staff due to leave this year and early next year, before filling the remaining 50 vacancies. The financial pressure has also exposed weak controls over the reserve fund, which is meant to bridge salary and supplier payments when member states delay contributions. The council said withdrawals had not followed required approval procedures, while Ayason Mukulia of Eala’s Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges said the issue had been raised repeatedly “but nothing has been done.” Heads of state have approved a new funding formula from July 2026, with half of the budget shared equally and half based on GDP, alongside sanctions for non-payment and a 50 percent waiver of historical arrears if balances are cleared within two years. The EAC has tabled a $110.9 million budget for 2026/27, with Kenya and Tanzania expected to contribute the largest amounts at $11.6 million and $8.2 million respectively.

A regional market is only as credible as the institutions that keep its rules predictable, and the EAC’s funding crisis should worry every business that depends on cross-border trade, payments, labour mobility and dispute resolution. The bloc’s integration agenda rests on the free movement of goods, people, labour, services and capital, which means its secretariat, court and parliamentary organs are not ceremonial offices but the operating system behind market confidence. The new funding formula is a necessary reset, but its real test will be enforcement. A community that cannot collect predictable contributions from its own members will struggle to convince private capital that regional commitments are durable.

[Musanjufu Benjamin @Benjamin_Watch]

After Museveni Statecraft is the Only Serious Answer https://t.co/eq3pVgjrvx

[The Long Form Podcast @TheLongFormRw]

🚨 Bad news will always outsell good news.

Why? Because fear grabs attention faster than progress ever will.

🎙️ “A bad headline is going to do 10 times better than a good headline.” Marcus Kwikiriza — media strategist, broadcaster, and CEO of the Uganda Basketball Federation

In this thought-provoking conversation, Marcus explains why stories of tragedy dominate headlines while positive developments often go unnoticed.

📺Watch: https://t.co/JUNzgZshe7

[The China-Global South Project @ChinaGSProject]

Eswatini’s $300m Taiwan-backed oil reserve deal sparks controversy over alleged royal profit-sharing, poverty, and the kingdom’s deep economic strain. https://t.co/Hik85QFxJR

[Musanjufu Benjamin @Benjamin_Watch]

There should never be confusion between statecraft, statehood, and nationhood, as they describe distinct concepts, and mixing them often leads to flawed political analysis and poor policy decisions.

[Grab a Coffee Podcast @GrabACoffeePod]

☕️ A little throwback

We sat down with Joshua Baraka to talk music, growth, his journey, and what it really takes to chase your dreams.

Watch via

https://t.co/YTzyFA4wJF

#GrabACoffeePodcast #podcast

[East African Community @jumuiya]

The Ministerial Session of the 48th Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) has concluded at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

🔹The Council considered the Report of the Pre-Budget Consultations of Ministers for Finance and the Report of the Regional Task Force (RTF) on the Review of the EAC Rules of Origin.

@mfa_tanzania @EACAffairsKenya @StateHouseKenya @RwandaMFA @meaca_ug @Com_mediasRDC @MAEBurundi @SouthSudanGov @MOFASomalia @EACAffairsKenya @EastGovernments @EAC_yap @EAYNOfficial @SMannette1
@KanaFlash

[Anthony Natif @TonyNatif]

We had this conversation nearly 9 months ago and it appears to have been rather prophetic.

It’s never about “human rights and democracy”. It’s about business for a lot of these countries.

They just clothe their economic interests behind “human rights”.

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Energy independence sounds liberating. But when it becomes a market opportunity only the wealthy can access, does it strengthen or fracture the public infrastructure that holds societies together?
Dr Justus Masa on decentralised energy, grid resilience, and who actually benefits.

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Coming soon

Energy, Power, and Africa’s Next Strategic Frontier with Dr Justus Masa (PhD) from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion.

[Switch Africa @Switch_AFR]

Emboozi y’Omumbejja Clare Catherine Nalumansi erina ekifo eky’enjawulo mu byafaayo by’eddini mu Uganda newankubadde ekereziya temulangiriranga ng’omu kubajjulizi ba Uganda.
Switched by @DivineMercyNal

#ugandamartyrs #martyrsday #Switchafrica
#africanstories

[The Long Form Podcast @TheLongFormRw]

🚨Tribalism doesn’t need a majority. It just needs momentum.

“Have we reached a point where there’s enough critical mass for this to become a problem? It just needs to start. I saw it start and then become a bushfire right before our eyes.” Marcus Kwikiriza — media strategist, broadcaster, and CEO of the Uganda Basketball Federation

A sobering reminder that history rarely repeats overnight—it grows quietly until everyone is forced to pay attention.

📺Watch: https://t.co/JUNzgZshe7

[Allawi Ssemanda, PhD @AllawiSsemanda]

with incremental expenses already exceeding $500m/month. The group cannot absorb the full burden and will pass some costs to customers, many of whom are also facing higher raw‑material prices. Industry contacts say higher transport and production costs may feed through to consumer prices

2/2 https://t.co/0FupKqjlhm

[Allawi Ssemanda, PhD @AllawiSsemanda]

Security in the #Strait of #Hormuz has deteriorated amid US‑Israel‑Iran war, prompting Danish shipping giant Maersk to suspend vessel transits & activate contingency plans, including land routing of cargo. Maersk’s chief commercial officer Carsten Kildahl said the measures protect crew but are creating severe economic pressure: direct Gulf trades & other routes face higher costs from rerouting and rising fuel

1/2 https://t.co/0FupKqjlhm

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

A sneak peek into Season two, coming on @PlayitLoudNow
"When Western diplomacy shifts from 'governance and human rights' to 'let's make money together,' what actually changes on the ground?
@TonyNatif on how transactional geopolitics reshapes African sovereignty and who profits

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Get ready for our next episode featuring @PublicSquareEA's @TonyNatif. This is undoubtedly one of the best pieces we've produced so far!

Coming soon

[Musanjufu Benjamin @Benjamin_Watch]

@WordPress with small milestone reminders

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

@fatcatspod Uganda Rugby (URU) has gone against its own new constitution on the issue of the Athletes committee and they didn't give any explanation, on this Kakira-Hippos case they will likely be more erratic with whatever decision they come up with

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Ethiopia: Peace Agreement at Risk? Conflict Update!

Africa is entering a period of sharp political change.

https://t.co/g9GqL2ZiC1

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

Youth are transforming electoral traditions, and rebels are taking charge in cities. Foreign powers are exerting influence over Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti. It's essential to listen and grasp the powerful forces shaping this region.
https://t.co/uR8XYMBTll

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

https://t.co/9KLQbVYXcq

[East African Perspective @EAPerspectivPod]

East Africa is currently experiencing a contraction of civic space accompanied by increased state oversight.
https://t.co/Yd1Zl7g081