Great African Cycling Safari an excellent opportunity to market the EAC integration agenda

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th September, 2021: The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Rt. Hon Martin Ngoga said the Great African Cycling Safari is an excellent opportunity to market the EAC integration agenda to its actual owners, the people of East Africa. 

Speaking during the grand finale of the Great African Cycling Safari at the EAC Headquarters, Rt Hon. Ngoga said the purpose of the cycling safari was to create awareness around the integration process by sensitising communities along the bike tour as the cyclists interacted with the people. 

 “I am glad to note that the cyclists used the safari not only to sensitize the people along their route on regional integration, but to preach peace and unity, promote tourism, as well as plant trees to mitigate effects of climate change and to enhance citizens’ awareness about COVID-19,” said the Speaker. 

Hon. Ngoga disclosed to the cyclists that one of the global priorities under the 6th EAC Development Strategy that will be implemented over the next five years is promotion of awareness creation and dissemination of information on the Community. 

“Let me take this opportunity to assure our gallant cyclists that the EAC is highly supportive of this event. As the EAC we will sit with the organisers to see areas of corporation going forward,” he added. 

The Speaker commended the private sector through EABC, the umbrella body of private sector organisations in East Africa, for providing corporate sponsorship for the Great African Cycling Safari that has been without a sponsor since it started and the media in all Partner States for giving maximum coverage of the novel initiative and seeks support from East Africans. 

On his part, the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr Damas Ndumbaro commended the cyclists for flying the EAC flag and the flags of the six EAC Partner State’s flags for 6,000 kilometres across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and back to Tanzania.  

He said the tour is in tandem with the wishes of the EAC Summit of Heads of State who have been keen on taking the EAC to the people at the grassroots.  Hon Ndumbaro challenged the EAC Secretariat to formalize the Great African Cycling Safari into the EAC system and make it as an EAC Event. 

“The Great African Cycling Safari is indeed one of those successful initiatives of that we from the Partner States must utilise to champion the integration agenda,” said the Minister. 

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya, Hon. Najib Balala said the Great African Cycling Safari has the potential to grow to be recognised internationally just like ‘Tour de France’ that so far has had 108 editions since it came into existence. “It is an important event as it aims not only to sensitize people of the EAC integration process but also promote unity, peace and collective development in the region,” he said. 

 “It is high time as Partner States going forward to support this initiative and make it as EAC annual event,” added Hon. Balala. 

The Great African Cycling Safari Tour presents a unique opportunity for the integration of the East African Community on a global stage, unified by the power of sports. It is dependent on strategic financing through funds raised from sponsorships, partnerships, event fees and the sale of promotional materials.  

The Grand finale of the Great African Cycling Safari was attended by the EAC Partner States Ambassadors in Tanzania, Private Sector, EALA Members and Staff of EAC Secretariat among others. 

Notes to editors 

Over the last four years, the Great African Cycling Safari has successfully staged progressive cycling tours through all East African capitals under the banner of East African Bicycle Tour also known as Tour d'l:AC. These tours have brought together local and international biking enthusiasts from all walks of life to experience the unique terrain and exotic culture, create awareness and promote the integration of East Africans and Africans in general. 

For more information, please contact:

Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka @eachq.org