THE Democratic Republic of Congo joined the East African Community, bringing the regional trading bloc’s market size to a quarter of the continent’s population and providing it with access to the Atlantic Ocean.
The mineral-rich nation became the EAC’s seventh member after heads of state agreed to its request to join the $193.7 billion group.
The bloc’s common market, which groups 177 million people, provides for free movement of goods, people, labour, services and capital among partner states Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
“Working together, we have more to gain,” Kenyan President and current EAC Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta said after a virtual summit that brought together the community’s six existing members.
“We are fully aware of the social and economic benefits realisable from a strong regional bloc in this globalised world.”
Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest country by landmass, Congo will provide a corridor for East African nations along
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