Another consideration that argues for letting the unified surpluses build is that the budget is still significantly short of balance when measured on an accrual basis. If social security, for example, were measured on such a basis, counting benefits when they are earned by workers rather than when they are paid out, that program would have shown a substantial deficit last year.
From a payment system perspective, the region has achieved the goal of implementing an integrated payment infrastructure to facilitate the ease of flow of payments among the participating member counties known as the East Africa Payment System (EAPS). The EAPS is a secure, effective and efficient funds transfer system that enhances efficiency and safety of payments and settlement within the EAC region.