As we celebrate 25 years of the revived EAC, I proposed in my speech today that we also acknowledge more than 1,000 years of trade connectivity in the region. The rich history of ancient trade, illustrated by artefacts from Bigo bya Mugenyi in Uganda, indicates that our region was a thriving "Connected Trade Area" (CTA) long before the arrival of Europeans.
This area connected the East African coast, the savanna lands of central Tanzania, and the Great Lakes region. We must leverage this heritage to strengthen our economic ties and collaboration.
