A delay to midwife a deal beyond the December deadline will, however, only affect Kenya which is the only lower middle-income country.
The country’s exports to the UK will be subjected to taxes and other restrictions while other EAC member states will continue to enjoy unrestricted access to the British market.
Kenya will go it alone in negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom, leaving its East African neighbours with an option to join later.
This follows a decision by Tanzania and Uganda to agree on joining Kenya later to conclude the trade deal as a regional bloc as time ticks closer to the December 31 Brexit date.
