By Business Insider Reporter
The East African Community (EAC) has officially deployed a 67-member Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Tanzania ahead of the country’s highly anticipated 2025 General Elections, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to peace, democracy and regional stability – key pillars for sustaining economic growth and investor confidence.
The mission, led by Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, former Vice President of Uganda and a renowned public health advocate, was flagged off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha.
The deployment follows an invitation by the government of Tanzania and fulfils a directive by the EAC Council of Ministers requiring the Secretariat to observe elections across all Partner States.
“As a Community founded on the principles of good governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights, the EAC considers credible elections a cornerstone of democracy and regional integration,” said Dr. Kazibwe.
A stable democracy, a stronger investment climate
The EAC’s involvement carries weight beyond political symbolism. Tanzania’s reputation as one of East Africa’s most stable economies has made it a magnet for investors across manufacturing, mining, logistics, and energy sectors. As the 2025 elections approach, regional and international investors are watching closely, viewing a peaceful and transparent process as essential to maintaining confidence in the country’s business environment.
Analysts note that credible elections often translate into macroeconomic stability, reduced risk premiums and stronger cross-border investor flows – particularly within the East African region, where integration is deepening through initiatives like the EAC Common Market Protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Political predictability remains the foundation of economic growth,” said a regional economist based in Dar es Salaam. “The EAC’s observer mission helps reassure investors that Tanzania remains committed to good governance and rule of law – both of which underpin long-term investment security.”
Observers to monitor transparency and fairness
The multidisciplinary team of observers, drawn from all EAC Partner States, includes members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), national electoral bodies, human rights commissions, civil society, and the EAC Secretariat. They will be stationed across Tanzania to monitor campaigns, voting, counting, and transmission of results in line with national laws and EAC Principles for Election Observation.
“Our role is not to interfere but to observe and report objectively,” said Maina Karobia, Deputy Head of Mission and EALA member. “We are here in a spirit of partnership and solidarity with the people of Tanzania.”
Their assessments will form the basis of a preliminary report to be issued shortly after the polls, followed by a comprehensive final report offering recommendations to strengthen future electoral processes within the EAC.
Elections and the Economics of Regional Integration
The EAC has consistently viewed credible elections as critical to regional integration and economic cooperation. Peaceful political transitions ensure that Partner States can focus on collective priorities such as trade facilitation, infrastructure investment, and labour mobility.
Tanzania, one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, plays a central role in this integration through its ports, energy corridors, and industrial zones that serve the wider East African market.
Political stability therefore supports not only domestic investors but also regional supply chains that rely on Tanzanian infrastructure – from the Dar es Salaam Port to the Central Corridor Railway and Tanga’s new shipping routes.
“The deployment of observers reflects EAC’s recognition that democracy, peace, and economic prosperity are inseparable,” said Veronica Nduva, EAC Secretary General. “Our mission is to help safeguard that connection.”
A signal of confidence and continuity
For Tanzania’s business community, the EAC’s observation mission serves as both a confidence signal and a regional safeguard.
It ensures that political processes remain transparent and predictable, supporting a conducive climate for investment and long-term planning.
The mission’s findings are expected to inform future governance reforms, deepen regional cooperation, and reinforce Tanzania’s image as one of Africa’s most stable democracies – an anchor for trade and investment in the EAC bloc.
As the country prepares to go to the polls, the presence of the EAC observers underscores a simple yet powerful message: strong democracies build strong economies. “When governance and markets move in tandem, the result is sustained regional growth,” Dr. Kazibwe remarked during the launch. “That is the future we all want for East Africa.”
