The Institute for Development Studies-UoN, Afrobarometer, and the Data for Governance Alliance-Africa were ably represented by Douglas Wanja at the Donor Roundtable & Media Launch for the upcoming East African Citizen Summit 2025. The event, organized by the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF Secretariat) and its country chapters, including EACSOF Kenya, brought together key stakeholders and donors to set the stage for the Summit. Eunice Karimi, a project assistant at IDS, also attended the roundtable held on 26th March 2025.

About the 2025 Summit
The East African Citizen Summit 2025 will convene 400+ representatives from the 8 EAC member states, fostering dialogue and collaboration under the theme:
🟡 "Harnessing EAC's Citizens' Potential in the Regional Integration Process"
🔹 Sub-theme: "Innovating for Regional Integration: Advancing Governance, Economic Growth, and Social Inclusion in the Digital Age."

Key Goals of the Summit
✔ Enhancing Citizen Participation in regional integration.
✔ Leveraging Technology & Innovation to address regional challenges.
✔ Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for sustainable development.

Core Thematic Areas:
📌 Digital Transformation & Data-Driven Advocacy
📌 Governance, Media & Digital Rights
📌 Leadership, Health Advocacy, Sustainability & Natural Resource Management

Discussions will explore innovative solutions to key challenges, such as the digital divide, economic inequality, and environmental sustainability, with a focus on blockchain in resource management and AI in agriculture.

Key takeaways from the donor roundtable discussions included:
🔹 More grassroots CSOs should be involved.
🔹 Greater youth participation is crucial.
🔹 More partners are needed to drive discussions.
🔹 Advocacy language should be simplified for accessibility.
🔹 The Summit should help citizens better understand EAC integration.
🔹 Sustainable, multi-layered funding is needed to support advocacy beyond the Summit.

Who Will Be at the Summit?
The event will bring together:
🔹 CSOs (governance & advocacy)
🔹 Government ministries & agencies
🔹 EAC Secretariat & Members of EALA
🔹 Development partners
🔹 Academic Institutions, Researchers, Scholars & private sector leaders
🔹 Different Media Representatives
🔹 Diplomatic Missions: Embassies, SADC, WACSOF, African Union ECOSOCC
🔹 Government Representatives from the EAC Region

This diverse representation will ensure a holistic approach to addressing regional challenges, amplifying citizen voices, and strengthening regional decision-making.