Welcome to the EAC Engineering MRA Campaign Hub — a regional information platform developed to help engineers, engineering firms, employers, regulators, professional bodies, students and the wider public understand and make better use of the Engineering Mutual Recognition Agreement within the East African Community. The platform is developed with technical support from ESAMI–trapca, in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and with support from GIZ under the Digitalisation for East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) Project. The campaign responds to a practical implementation gap: although the Engineering MRA and related recognition systems exist, many engineers and institutions still need clearer information on eligibility, procedures, documentation, registration requirements and how recognition works in practice.
The Engineering Mutual Recognition Agreement provides a structured pathway through which professional engineers registered in one participating EAC Partner State may seek recognition in another participating Partner State. It supports the broader objectives of the EAC Common Market Protocol, particularly the movement of labour and services through the mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications. The EAC also identifies engineering as one of the professional areas where mutual recognition arrangements have been negotiated and signed, alongside other professions listed under its Education, Science and Technology / MRA information page.
This hub brings together practical guidance, country-specific information, direct links to national competent authorities, frequently asked questions, campaign materials, event updates and knowledge resources. Users can access step-by-step guidance, downloadable tools, videos, infographics, podcasts, webinar updates and official links to relevant registration portals, including the Engineers Board of Kenya, Uganda Engineers Registration Board, Engineers Registration Board Tanzania, Institute of Engineering Rwanda and relevant emerging or verification pages for South Sudan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
Engineering services are central to East Africa’s infrastructure, industrialisation and economic transformation. Roads, bridges, energy systems, water infrastructure, housing, ports, digital infrastructure and climate-resilient projects all depend on competent and properly regulated engineering professionals. By improving awareness and understanding of the Engineering MRA, this campaign supports safer infrastructure delivery, wider access to engineering expertise, stronger professional mobility and deeper regional integration across the EAC.
Through this platform, users can learn how the MRA works, identify the relevant competent authority, access country-specific registration guidance, download campaign resources and stay informed about events and updates across participating EAC Partner States. The campaign also places particular emphasis on inclusive access, including outreach to women engineers, young engineers and underrepresented professional groups.
Important Notice:This platform provides general information only. The Engineering MRA facilitates professional recognition, but it does not replace national registration, licensing, immigration, work permit, tax, business registration, procurement or professional compliance requirements. Recognition is not automatic. Engineers, firms, employers and other users should always confirm current requirements directly with the relevant national competent authority before submitting applications, making payments, signing contracts or undertaking engineering work in another country.
The Engineering MRA is intended to:
The Engineering Mutual Recognition Agreement provides the formal framework for this recognition process.
The Engineering MRA is grounded in the EAC Common Market framework. Its legal and policy foundation includes the following instruments:
The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community provides the foundation for regional integration, including the establishment of a Common Market aimed at supporting the free movement of goods, labour, services and capital, as well as the right of establishment.
Useful link: EAC Secretariat
The EAC Common Market Protocol provides for the free movement of labour and services. Article 11 supports the mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications, experience, licences and certifications granted in other Partner States.
Annex VII provides the broader framework for mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications within the region. It supports harmonised standards, coordinated institutional mechanisms and transparent recognition procedures.
The Engineering MRA translates this regional commitment into a profession-specific pathway for engineering professionals.
Where Is the Engineering MRA Operational?
The Engineering MRA is currently treated as operational in the following participating EAC Partner States:
These arrangements allow professional engineers registered in one participating Partner State to seek recognition in another participating Partner State, subject to the host country’s registration, licensing and professional requirements. Campaign material notes that South Sudan has joined the Engineering MRA process, expanding the number of participating Partner States.
The wider EAC currently includes eight Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. For countries where the Engineering MRA implementation pathway is still being verified, the website should provide information cautiously and direct users to official national institutions.
Useful links:
The Engineering MRA is currently treated as operational in the following participating EAC Partner States:
These arrangements allow professional engineers registered in one participating Partner State to seek recognition in another participating Partner State, subject to the host country’s registration, licensing and professional requirements. Campaign material notes that South Sudan has joined the Engineering MRA process, expanding the number of participating Partner States.
The wider EAC currently includes eight Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. For countries where the Engineering MRA implementation pathway is still being verified, the website should provide information cautiously and direct users to official national institutions.
Useful links:
Engineering services are essential to East Africa’s development. Roads, bridges, ports, railways, housing, energy systems, water infrastructure, digital infrastructure, industrial facilities and climate-resilient projects all depend on competent, properly regulated engineering professionals.
The Engineering MRA matters because it can help the region:
The campaign’s inception report highlights that the main challenge is not the absence of legal instruments, but low awareness, uneven institutional readiness and uncertainty among engineers and stakeholders on how to use the MRA and related digital systems.
The Engineering MRA:
The Engineering MRA is important, but it has limits. It does not:
Recognition under the MRA is not automatic. Each application must be reviewed by the host-country competent authority and may require additional documentation, payment of prescribed fees, verification of professional status, or compliance with other national conditions.
A professional engineer who wants to use the MRA pathway should generally follow these steps:
Step 1: Confirm Home-Country Registration
The engineer should first confirm that they hold a current and valid professional registration certificate or practising licence issued by the competent authority in their home country.
Step 2: Obtain Good Standing Confirmation
The engineer needs certification from the home-country competent authority confirming that they have no serious record of violation of technical, professional or ethical standards.
Step 3: Identify the Host Country
The engineer should identify the EAC Partner State where they wish to seek recognition or practise.
Step 4: Check Host-Country Requirements
The engineer must check the host country’s requirements, including registration forms, eligibility rules, fees, supporting documents, work permit requirements and professional conduct obligations.
Step 5: Apply to the Host-Country Competent Authority
The application should be submitted to the competent authority of the host country using the prescribed form or official registration portal.
Step 6: Await Review and Decision
The host-country regulator reviews the application and decides whether the engineer qualifies for recognition, registration or licensing.
Step 7: Maintain Compliance
Once recognised or registered, the engineer must comply with renewal requirements, continuing professional development, professional ethics, national laws and any conditions attached to the recognition.
Under the Engineering MRA approach, an engineer seeking recognition in another participating Partner State should generally be able to show that they:
The application may also require a list of EAC Partner States where the applicant is already registered or licensed to practise, as well as a declaration on any past disciplinary action or professional sanctions.
The Engineering MRA works through national competent authorities. Engineers should always start with the official regulator in the country where they are registered and the country where they want to practise.
Kenya
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
Rwanda
South Sudan
Burundi
N/B: The Engineering MRA implementation pathway and competent authority arrangements should be verified before users rely on them for cross-border recognition.
Democratic Republic of Congo
N/B: The Engineering MRA implementation pathway and competent authority arrangements should be verified before users rely on them for cross-border recognition.
Somalia
N/B: The Engineering MRA implementation pathway and competent authority arrangements should be verified before users rely on them for cross-border recognition.
