The African Union envisions a continent where all regions are interconnected. This goal is part of its digital strategy, and to achieve it, the organization has partnered with technical and financial supporters, including the World Bank.

The East African Community (EAC) is preparing to launch the East Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The news was announced in a press release from the EAC on September 11.

The project aims to enhance digital connectivity and integration across the East African region. With funding of $310 million from the World Bank, this initiative will help create a more interconnected, inclusive, and prosperous region.

“This project will create a more interconnected, inclusive, and prosperous region. We are laying the foundation for a thriving digital economy that will benefit businesses and citizens alike (…)“It will also ensure that no one is left behind as we transition to a more digital and interconnected future," said Annette Ssemuwemba, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs.

This initiative follows the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), which was launched a few months earlier. Both efforts are part of the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030), which aims to build a single digital market by 2030.

According to the World Bank, EARDIP is based on five key components: developing and integrating the connectivity market, the data market, and the online market; managing and supporting the project’s implementation; and responding to emergencies.

In the long run, this project will boost regional and cross-border broadband connectivity, data flow, and digital trade across the region, while strengthening the environment for cross-border digital services.