DAR ES SALAAM, June 22 -- CRITICALLY and strategically zooming in on the proposed FY2026-2027 national budget, one clearly realises the new race for regional competitiveness. Why?

Reviewing the EAC budgets presented by the ministers responsible for the portfolio on 11 June 2026, except for Burundis budget, which was inaccessible, quickly shows that East Africa is rapidly becoming a vibrant economic hub.

Countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are competing to attract the same investors, manufacturers, logistics providers, financial firms and tech companies. In this context, national budgets serve not only as financial records but also as strategic instruments for attracting investment, generating employment and boosting com...