The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Friday passed the East African Community (EAC) Electronic Transactions Bill that will pave way for the business and corporate world to transact business using digital means.

The Bill also seeks to promote technology neutrality in applying legislation to electronic communications and transactions and to develop a safe, secure and effective environment for the consumer, business and governments of the Partner States.

During an earlier Assembly meeting in August in Kampala, Uganda, debate on the Bill initiated by EALA member Dr. James Ndahiro (Rwanda) was adjourned to allow stakeholders to make additional inputs.

At the time, the Chair of Council of Ministers, Dr. Abdallah Saadaala and several members had requested for adjournment as they sought more consultation to enrich the Bill.

On Wednesday, debate was adjourned for the second time to avail the Committee time to peruse through comments received from the Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) and, when it resumed on Friday, several members rose in support of the Bill.

Lawmakers Nancy Abisai (Kenya), Fredrick Ngezebuhoro (Burundi), Mike Sebalu (Uganda), Shyrose Bhanji (Tanzania), Zein Abubakar (Kenya) and others, gave a firm nod to the bill and urged Partner States to embrace it and harmonize their laws to the regional law to create a proper environment for all beneficiaries of ICT in the region and beyond.

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