Setting Up and Operating an Investment in EAC
Each Partner State has put in place investment procedures to guide investments. The investment procedures can be classified under three categories:
- Key investment procedures that include procedures on:
- Starting a business
- Hiring labour
- Obtaining work and resident permits where applicable
- Paying taxes
- Acquiring land and property
- Building and constructing
- Trade procedures
- Other procedures that include procedures on:
- Sectoral permits
- Export Processing Zones
- Special Economic Zones
- Investment incentives
The EAC Partner States have put in place legal and institutional frameworks for handling all the above investment procedures. Investment procedures in each Partner State are in:
- Articles 15- 23 of the Uganda Investment Code Act 2019;
- Articles10-13,15-21 of the Rwanda Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act 2015;
- Articles17-18 of the Tanzania Investment Act 1997;
- Articles 23-31 of the Zanzibar Investment Promotion and Protection Authority Act 2018; and
- Articles 3-11 of the Kenya Investment Promotion Act 2014.
The investment Promotion Act 2009 of South Sudan does not have any provisions on investment procedures.
Also, institutional frameworks are represented at the One-Stop Investment Centres in each of the Partner States.
Republic of Burundi
The government of Burundi has undertaken several legal reforms and has established regulatory institutions in various sectors of the economy to create a conducive environment for investment.
Republic of Kenya
The Government of Kenya recognizes the critical role investments play in economic development and realization of Vision 2030 objectives.
Republic of Rwanda
Rwanda has comprehensively improved its business environment through enactment of the Investment Code 2015 on Investment and Export Promotion and Facilitation as the main law governing the country’s investment regime.
Republic of South Sudan
The government has taken specific steps to promote investment in the country including the establishment of South Sudan Investment Authority (SSIA) and Development of investments laws which spell out the investment guidelines in the country among others.
United Republic of Tanzania
The Government has taken significant measures and reforms to liberalize its economy and encourage both foreign and domestic local private investment to realize National Development Vision 2025.
Republic of Uganda
The Investment Code Act 1991 led to the establishment of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to promote and facilitate local and foreign investments.