Singapore will negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with the East African Community (EAC), marking the Republic’s first such pact with an African partner. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam confirmed the move on June 9, stating the agreement aims to boost trade flows and diversify networks amid global geopolitical tensions. The bloc includes Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Strategic Shift in Trade Relations
The proposed FTA represents a significant expansion of Singapore’s international economic footprint. According to President Tharman, the partnership will improve market access and facilitate the exchange of goods and services between Singapore and the eight-member EAC bloc. This initiative serves as the EAC’s first FTA negotiation with a partner outside the African continent.
President Tharman noted that the agreement could provide East African exporters with a gateway to the broader ASEAN market. Beyond traditional trade, the pact is expected to foster growth in emerging sectors, including the digital economy. President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania expressed support for the initiative, noting that current trade levels between the regions have not yet reached their full potential.
The proposed FTA is not the first sign of Singapore’s growing interest in Africa. In November 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Singapore would open an embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the continent.
Deepening Bilateral Cooperation
During the state visit, which took place from June 8 to 10, Singapore and Tanzania formalized several agreements to deepen ties. These include a double taxation avoidance agreement designed to provide greater certainty for cross-border investments and lower barriers to economic activity. The nations also committed to collaboration on carbon market frameworks, including the exchange of best practices for mitigation projects.
Technical cooperation is also expanding into the healthcare sector. Singapore’s Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School is working with Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences to support the national sickle cell disease programme. According to President Tharman, this collaboration addresses a chronic condition that affects 11,000 newborns annually in Tanzania and contributes to approximately 6.4 per cent of under-five mortality in Africa.
The move toward an FTA signals a shift from purely bilateral project-based cooperation to a structural, bloc-to-bloc economic strategy. By targeting the EAC, Singapore is positioning itself to engage with a region expected to be the fastest-growing globally by 2029. However, the success of these ambitions depends on the ratification of the current agreements and the ability of both parties to integrate their distinct regulatory environments.
What Happens Next
The agreements signed in Dar Es Salaam will enter into force following official ratification by both nations. Future developments may include the establishment of a Singaporean embassy in Tanzania, a request made by President Hassan during the visit. As the two countries mark the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, further cooperation in climate resilience and skills development is anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are involved in the EAC-Singapore FTA?
The agreement involves Singapore and the eight member states of the East African Community: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
What is the purpose of the double taxation agreement?
According to President Tharman, the agreement aims to lower barriers to investment and trade, providing businesses with greater certainty for long-term cross-border economic activities.
How does this visit reflect Singapore’s broader foreign policy?
The visit is part of an effort to grow ties with Africa, which is currently the second-fastest-growing region in the world. President Tharman emphasized that in a time when international rules and habits of cooperation are under strain, Singapore must focus on building bridges between Asia and Africa.
How might the integration of digital economy initiatives within this trade agreement reshape the business landscape for local entrepreneurs in East Africa?
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