East Africa is making bold strides in opening its borders, allowing citizens to live and work across countries with increasing ease. This reality is thanks to the East African Community’s Common Market Protocol, in place since 2010, which promotes the free movement of people, goods, and capital. Consequently, citizens across the region have the legal right to cross borders in search of employment opportunities and to establish businesses. Countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda lead the charge, offering streamlined entry and reciprocal work permits for each other’s citizens. Yet challenges remain: Fragile states like South Sudan and the DRC are not granted full privileges, and unequal legal frameworks and access to services hinder full integration. While strong regional leadership and collaboration with non-state actors are helping build momentum, better data systems, policy harmonization, and court empowerment can reinforce East Africa as the standard for free movement on the continent.
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