The East African Community (EAC) is set for logo change to accommodate new members and create harmony among various organs within the body.
The exercise which is expected to conclude in November saw youths between ages of 18-35 from member states submit 485 different designs for consideration.
“We have narrowed down to ten applicants and expect to forward the top three to the council of ministers for approval in an exercise we expect to come to conclude before the end of this year,” said Jessica Eriyo, EAC Deputy Secretary General, responsible for Productive and Social Sectors.
The current logo embodies original three EAC member countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania that into the arrangement during the times of presidents Milton Obote, Julius Nyerere and Jomo Kenyatta, father of Daniel Uhuru Kenyatta. The new logo is intended to include new entrants-Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, world’s youngest nation.
“Rebranding is important to enable the East Africa Community have a simple logo that can also be easily adopted in other organs of the body,” she said noting that the current logo has so many colours that needs to be replaced.
The EAC launched the rebranding competition in 2017 targeting to change its visual brand identity for eleven Organs and Institutions including the regional parliament and the court.
The council of ministers will consider the report of the top entrants in April 2018, where 438 proposed designs have been considered by regional brand experts.
The rebranding process aims to resolve among others the lack of a unique common identifier among the EAC organs and institutions, too many colours being used for the flag and logos, the EAC logo not being adaptable to the expansion of the community, two different visual identity symbols (the flag and the logo), lack of a visual brand connection between EAC Organs and Institutions.
A youth competition for designers and artists was launched in May 2017, and 438 entries were received by the EAC for consideration.
Dr. Kirsten Focken, GIZ – Programme Manager in a statement said that the German Government through GIZ supports the EAC rebranding, adding that the process would improve its brand awareness, visual identity and image among citizens, especially the youth.
