New EABC chairperson John Lual Akot. (Photo: Courtesy).

South Sudanese trade official John Lual Akol has been elected as Chairperson of the East African Business Council (EABC) during the group’s 23rd Annual General Meeting held in Arusha on December 13.

The meeting discussed public-private sectors dialogue, regional private sector policy, advocacy agenda, as well as leveraging regional resources to support economic growth and trade and investment ties.

Mr. Lual – also a senior official at the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture – stressed the importance of private sector collaboration across the region to foster socio-economic prosperity.

He pledged to provide leadership to ensure that the EABC stays true to its purpose as a voice of private sector and its vision of borderless East Africa for increased business and investment, Tanzania Times reported.

Mr. Lual said a stronger EABC can help streamline policies, enhance cross-border trade, and encourage collaboration among businesses within the regional bloc.

He called for capacity building for private sector actors to benefit from opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Tripartite Free Trade Area.

The leadership of John Lual Akot comes at a critical time when many regional economies are looking to recover from global economic shocks, by fostering a conducive environment for private sector growth.

The new EABC boss was accompanied by the regional body’s board members from South Sudan, including Kennedy Lodiong Kenyi, Mou Ambrose Thiik ,  Osama M. Bilal, and William Deng from Etihad Group of Companies.

The newly elected governing council and executive committee will serve a two-year term from 2024 to 2026.