The East African Community (EAC) has received €205,000 worth of high-security ICT equipment from Germany’s GIZ agency in Arusha on 15 May, designed to digitally verify and recognize professional engineers across all eight member states-including Somalia.
For Somalia, which joined the EAC only in late 2023, the new digital platform removes a major hurdle: the costly and time-consuming re-licensing of its engineers in neighboring countries. The infrastructure allows Somali professionals to register once and be recognized regionally, a critical step as Mogadishu pushes for labor exports under the Common Market Protocol.
The hardware includes high-performance servers and a web application firewall, enabling the EAC to host its Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) digital platform independently. Previously, the bloc relied on external servers, raising data security concerns.
GIZ delivered the technology through its DIGEAT project, which focuses on trade and integration. The platform is the first of its kind in Africa for engineering credentials.
“This is not just hardware for Arusha. It is a direct bridge for Somali engineers to compete fairly in Kigali, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam without begging for work permits,” said a senior official at Somalia’s Ministry of Commerce, who spoke on condition of seniority.
GIZ representatives noted that the investment follows Germany’s commitment to post-accession support for newer members like Somalia, adding that similar digital systems will eventually cover accountants and architects.
The EAC secretariat confirmed that the platform will go live in the third quarter of 2026. Training for national bodies, including Somalia’s Engineers Registration Board, is scheduled for August.
Short paragraphs allow Somali broadcasters to read clearly on air. The firewall also protects against cyber threats, a growing concern as the region digitizes cross-border work permits.
