TradeMark Africa
Growing Prosperity Through Trade

TradeMark Africa

Africa Losing Billions as Trade Barriers Persist Despite Major Gains

The case for Africa as a global trade powerhouse is no longer in doubt. What remains unresolved is how quickly the continent’s leaders will act to remove barriers holding back growth. According to the East African Business Council (2023) report, East Africa loses an estimated $9–10 billion a year to non-tariff barriers, restrictions that continue […]

Kazungula OSBP begins 24-hour operations April 1

Preparations to transition the Kazungula One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) to 24-hour operations are underway, with full implementation scheduled for April 1. Addressing the Chobe District Development Committee recently, Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA) executive director, Mr Mukela Muyonda confirmed that the authority had fast-tracked the rollout, following a directive from Presidents Duma Boko and Hakainde Hichilema […]

A trade gateway held back by red tape?

The Holili-Taveta border post, straddling the frontier between northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, has emerged as a rare bright spot in East Africa’s push for deeper economic integration. Official data and industry reports indicate that cargo throughput and export volumes have accelerated through the crossing over the past year, driven by improved customs infrastructure and […]

Ghana-Togo ministers target faster trade at Akanu–Noepe border

Ghana and Togo have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cross-border trade and improving operations at the Akanu – Noepe Joint Border Post, following a high-level ministerial meeting and handing-over ceremony. The meeting, supported by TradeMark Africa, brought together senior government officials, members of the National Trade Facilitation Committees, and representatives of border management agencies from […]

The Middle East crisis: A stress test for African trade resilience

The escalating Middle East crisis is emerging as a major stress test for Africa’s trade resilience, disrupting supply chains across the continent while also creating a potential opening for key ports in East and Southern Africa to capture more maritime traffic. With shipping once again diverting around the Cape of Good Hope amid the strategic […]

East Africa sets 2026 deadline to scrap trade barriers, but past disputes raise doubts

The decision, reached at the bloc’s 25th Ordinary Summit in Arusha on March 7, underscores efforts to remove longstanding obstacles that continue to slow the movement of goods across member states. Non-tariff barriers, ranging from bureaucratic delays and inconsistent standards to restrictive licensing regimes, have long raised the cost of doing business within the region. […]

Non-tariff barriers could hurt East Africa’s integration gains

For more than a decade, East Africa has steadily built one of the most compelling regional integration stories on the continent. Governments, working with development partners, have made significant investments in One-Stop Border Posts, and digital customs systems have replaced much of the physical paperwork that once slowed trade. This enables goods to be cleared […]