OPINION

By Rita Kavashe
This week, businessmen, policy makers and other economic stakeholders from within East Africa and across the globe convened at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo in Uganda for the first ever high-level Manufacturing Business Summit and Exhibition in the East African Community (EAC).

The fact that the forum was held at ‘Speke Resort’ with its colonial undertones and heritage, echoes that Africa is still grappling with the legacy of colonialism and how to deal with the effects of national boundaries drawn up so many years ago in Europe, without recourse to local culture or inhabitants. It also illustrates how these boundaries continue to affect the economics, trade, immigration and geopolitical situation of these former colonies.

How so? For many nations in Africa today, it is easier to trade with Europe, America or China than it is to trade across what for many is an imaginary line in the sand denoting two different countries. Yet there are individuals and companies grappling with how to extend their business beyond the borders. Many indeed are already beating a path that will set precedence for many others to follow when we can finally enjoy the Pan African dream.

The forum came at a time when one of those regional pioneers, General Motors East Africa, has embarked on a regional expansion programme that will see it grow across the East African region.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company has recently broken ground for, or opened new showrooms across different parts of Kenya with a view to creating an enhanced presence and improve their customer experience.

Source: The Monitor

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