A. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Q2. What is the size of the East African Community in terms of population, area and GDP?

A. It has an estimated population of 120 million, a land area of approximately 1.8 million square kilometers and a combined GDP of about US $41 billion.

Q3. When will East Africa have a full political federation?

A. The achievement of political Federation is the ultimate goal of the integration process. Consultations on how it can be fast-tracked are ongoing among the Partner States.

Q4. What does it mean to have a federation?

A. It means that EA will have no internal borders. It also means EA will have a Customs Union, A Common Market, one Currency, one flag and eventually one President.

Q5. Will there be need for an East African Passport?

A. There will be no need for a Passport for travel within the East African Federation for East Africans. But there will be an East African Passport to be used for travel outside East Africa.

Q6. How will the federation affect air travel within and outside East Africa?

A. All air flights within the federation will be local or domestic flights while all flights outside the federation will be regarded as international flights.

Q7. What will happen to the present border posts such as Busia, Malaba and Namanga? Will there be need to change money and pay customs duty at these points?

A. All these border posts will be abolished. There will be no need to change money or pay customs duty, as there will be one East African Currency. Customs duty will be payable at new border posts between the new East African Federation and other countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and DRC.

Q8. How will the federation affect the use of the resources of Lake Victoria?

A. At present 6% of the Lake is in Kenya, 45% in Uganda and 49% in Tanzania. It is the second largest fresh water lake in the world, after Lake Superior in the USA. The lake covers an area of approximately 70,000sq kilometers and a perimeter or shore-line of about 3,500 kilometers. The whole lake will be owned by all East Africans as a common resource. The peoples of the lake region will fish freely in any part of the lake. Its waters and electricity generated from it will be used throughout East Africa.

Q9. Do you have any idea about the fish resources of Lake Victoria?

A. Lake Victoria produces an estimated 600,000tons of fish valued at about US$500million or about Kshs.35 billion per year. This will be a common resource for all East Africans when the Federation is formed.

Q10. Who are the Custodians and Stewards of Lake Victoria?

A. It is the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) based in Kisumu, together with the people of the lake region. This organization which is an institution of the East African Community, will manage the common resources of the lake, protect its environment for the benefit of the present and future generations of East Africa.

Q11. What infrastructural projects has the East African Community undertaken?

A. A Common Power Masterplan, Common Road, Railway and Telecommunications networks.

Q12. How will the East African Federation affect tourism industry in East Africa?

A. The Federation will be marketed as one tourist destination. It will use Mt. Elgon, Kilimanjaro and Kenya as a common natural resource, Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks will be considered as one. Hotel rates will be standardised throughout the Federation.

Q13. How will the Federation affect education in the region?

A. There will be uniform fees for Schools, Colleges and Universities within the Federation. Examinations and Certificates will be standardised with one examining body and Loans Board.

Q14. Will I be able to work anywhere in East Africa?

A. Yes, there will be no work permit to work anywhere in East Africa.

Q15. How will the Federation affect the Health Sector?

A. Charges in hospitals and other health institutions will be uniform.

Q16. How will our national institutions such as the Defence and Security Forces, Embassies, Government Ministries be affected by the Federation?

A. There will be a common Defence and Security Force for the Federation, the Federation will be represented by common Embassies abroad where Ambassadors may be appointed from any part of East Africa. The Federation will negotiate as a block with other countries.
Q17. What will be the official and national languages of the Federation?

A. Kiswahili will be the Lingua Franca of the Federation while English and French may be used. The use of indigenous languages such as Luganda, Kinyarwanda, Gikuyu, Dholuo, Ekegusii, etc. will be encouraged as media of communication, and vehicles of cultural expression.

Q18. How will the Federation affect business?

A. There will be a bigger market; the cost of doing business will be lower as there will be no internal customs duty and the East African federation as a market will be more competitive globally. There will be free movement of goods and people within the federation.

Q19. Where will be the Capital of the Federation?

A. This will be decided by the Summit of Head of Partner States.

Q20. How will the leadership of the Federation be decided?

A. It has been suggested that initially the leadership be rotational among the Partner States from 2010 to 2013. After that there will be an elected President of the Federation, according to the Constitution of the Federation.