President Paul Kagame, on Tuesday, called for deeper regional integration saying that it would help lessen the effects of external economic shocks in African economies, as well as address other challenges facing the continent.

While noting that Rwanda’s economy was doing relatively well in a region struggling to contain a spiralling inflation, the Head of State observed that fast-tracking the full integration of the East African Community (EAC) would help harness local potentials, and unlock the opportunities that are critical to sustainable economic and political stability.

Indeed, as the world shrinks further into a global village, the benefits of nations pulling resources together, and jointly pursuing shared interests and battling against common threats, cannot be overemphasised.

In Africa, regional blocs such as the EAC have set the tone for countries to come up with collective efforts to improve the lives of the masses and contribute towards making the world a better place.

By going beyond borders and pursuing joint development projects, the East African Community has the opportunity to leverage its enormous potential and growing influence to transform the lives of its people.

It is, therefore, critical that the people and leaders of the EAC partner states continue to embrace integration as it is the only means to bolster our nations.

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