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East African architects have set ambitious goals to harmonize practice, education and training across the region over the next two years, despite challenges posed by Tanzania’s delay in signing a key agreement. Wycliffe Waburiri, Chairman of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and a key figure in the East African Institute of Architects (EAIA), highlighted the initiative at the annual meeting of the EAIA Council in Arusha, Tanzania. Despite Tanzania’s reservations, the meeting highlighted the institute’s strategic plans to foster a unified community of architects.
Strategic Efforts and Board Resolutions
At the heart of the meeting was a review of EAIA’s five-point strategic plan, which aims to achieve full participation of all East African Community (EAC) countries by 2027, increase EAIA revenue, increase brand awareness and harmonize architectural practice and education. The council also considered the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), seeking ways to strengthen its implementation, which has seen slow progress since its launch in 2011. A significant budget has been approved for the Practice and Ethics Committee to support observer delegations during professional examinations with the aim of standardizing qualifications across the region.
Institute’s achievements and future plans
The EAIA Board of Directors proposed several measures to increase brand awareness, including improving the agency’s website and leveraging publications. The Council reviewed the 2023 EAIA Yearbook, which demonstrates the institution’s 111-year legacy, and discussed expanding membership to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia. With the exception of Tanzania, four of the five countries have signed mutual recognition agreements, with all parties working together to harmonize architectural practices to promote seamless cross-border professional cooperation within the East African Community.
Tanzania’s hesitations and the way forward
Tanzania’s reluctance to sign a mutual recognition agreement stems from concerns about employment opportunities for local architects and differences in the region’s education system. AAK President Florence Nyole stressed the importance of harmonizing qualifications to build trust between clients and architects to enable effective collaboration on regional projects. The initiative aims to ensure that architects have equivalent skills and knowledge, creating an enabling environment for cross-border practice. Despite Tanzania’s hesitation, EAIA remains committed to its goals, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to overcome challenges and achieve a vision for a coordinated built landscape in East Africa by 2027.
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