Membership Is Earned, Not Purchased
The East Africa Business Council operates on a vetting-first model. Membership is not available for purchase — it is granted to firms that meet our compliance, capability, and conduct standards across the East Africa and Horn of Africa operating environment. If your firm meets that standard, we want to hear from you.
Membership Tiers
Annual membership fees are structured to reflect the level of engagement, access, and advisory support each tier provides. All tiers require successful completion of the EABC vetting process.
- Geared towards SMEs and investors seeking standard connectivity and regional engagement
- Inclusion in the EABC Member Directory
- Access to all member briefings, reports, and regional publications
- Invitations to networking functions, business delegations, and select private roundtables
- Geared towards corporations or businesses seeking elevated connectivity and greater regional engagement
- Invitations to all EABC private events and roundtables
- Customized guidance on market entry and counseling on business practices across East Africa (5 hours of research and business advisory)
- Tailored introductions to regional partners and institutional stakeholders
- Geared towards corporations or businesses seeking maximum regional connectivity and engagement
- Priority access to and VIP seating at EABC private events and roundtables — eligibility to speak at events
- Invitation to closed-door briefings with dignitaries, private executive discussions, and pre-receptions at select events
- Custom support and facilitation of direct access with government officials and institutional leaders (if and whenever available)
* All membership applications are subject to the EABC vetting process. Fees are annual and non-refundable. Eligibility to serve on the Board or Advisory Board is subject to governance approval.
The Membership Model
EABC membership is designed to serve two purposes simultaneously: to give international partners, donors, and government stakeholders a reliable signal of firm credibility across the East Africa region; and to give member firms a credible platform from which to access opportunities, build cross-border consortium teams, and demonstrate their regional capabilities.
Reserved for the founding entities — Contract Resources Group, Ipost Trading & Logistics Company, and Ipost Somalia — who established the EABC platform and its governance standards.
Firms that have completed the full vetting process and meet all compliance, capability, and conduct standards. Full members have access to the complete EABC platform, including the regional opportunity pipeline, consortium formation tools, and sector working groups.
Firms in the vetting pipeline that have passed initial screening but are completing the full vetting process. Associate members have limited platform access pending full vetting completion.
Vetting Criteria
All membership applications are subject to a documented vetting process. The following criteria are applied consistently to all applicants operating across East Africa and the Horn.
- Valid business registration in country of operation
- No active debarment or suspension from USG, UN, World Bank, or major bilateral donor programs
- Clean sanctions screening (OFAC, UN, EU)
- Documented anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies
- AML/KYC compliance documentation
- Demonstrated operational experience in East Africa or comparable complex environments
- Verifiable project references from credible institutional or commercial clients
- Sector-specific technical capability documentation
- Financial stability and capacity to perform
- Key personnel qualifications and background
- No documented history of fraud, corruption, or serious misconduct
- Commitment to EABC Code of Conduct
- Willingness to participate in ongoing compliance monitoring
- Transparent ownership and beneficial ownership disclosure
- Commitment to EABC governance and accountability standards
Sector Working Groups
Members are organised into sector working groups aligned to their firm's capabilities and market focus.
The Application Process
Submit an Inquiry
Complete the membership inquiry form below. Provide basic information about your firm, your sector focus, your regional footprint, and your interest in EABC membership.
Initial Screening
The EABC governance team reviews your inquiry and conducts an initial screening against our compliance and capability criteria. You will be notified of the outcome within 10 business days.
Documentation Review
Firms that pass initial screening are invited to submit a full documentation package for vetting review. This includes legal, compliance, capability, and conduct documentation.
Vetting Decision
The EABC governance team reviews the full documentation package and makes a membership decision. Successful applicants are notified and onboarded as Associate Members pending final compliance clearance.
Inquire About Membership
Complete the form below to begin the membership inquiry process. All inquiries are reviewed by the EABC governance team. We will respond within 10 business days.
Contact form coming soon. In the meantime, please reach out via the Contact page.