MOGADISHU (SD)-Somalia has reportedly paid $7.8 million as part of its budget contribution for the 2024/25 fiscal year to the East African Community (EAC), which it recently joined.

This budget payment will help accelerate the roadmap for Somalia to gain full membership rights in the EAC, including free movement of people and trade.

Each EAC member state must contribute $8.4 million annually to the organization’s operational budget.

Since Somalia has paid $7.8 million, it still owes $600,000, as the East African newspaper reported in Kenya.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, which joined the EAC two years ago, has yet to contribute to the organization’s budget for regional integration in East Africa.