Why compliance is stifling Kenya’s fresh produce exports
By Lilian Mwai and Andrew Edewa In 2024, Kenya’s fresh vegetable exports to the European Union (EU) declined sharply by 54.7 percent, from 164,100 tonnes to 74,300 tonnes. This reduction in volume led to a corresponding drop in export earnings from Sh50.9 billion to Sh23.4 billion. The decline is largely attributable to the enforcement of stricter EU pesticide regulations, […]
Sweden Backs $2.7 Million Programme to Green Kenya’s Trade
Nairobi, Kenya, 29 May 2025 — Sweden has signed a $2.7 million agreement with TradeMark Africa to bolster sustainable and inclusive trade in Kenya. This two-year Kenya Enhanced Trade Environment and Inclusion (KETEI) programme will help Kenya achieve its national trade ambitions within various frameworks, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The programme will do this […]
BIFA-EFFSAA Partnership to Transform Ethiopia’s Logistics Sector and Drive Economic Growth
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 May 2025 – The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Addis Ababa, marking a significant step towards modernising Ethiopia’s logistics sector. This milestone forms part of the Horn of Africa Corridor Efficiency Enhancement Project, funded […]
Youth-led horticultural enterprise showcases growing participation in Rwanda’s export-oriented agribusiness industry
A joint delegation from TradeMark Africa (TMA), Mastercard Foundation, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) recently visited a young woman-led horticultural export business in Rwamagana, Rwanda. This visit underscored their collective commitment to helping Rwandan youth and women-led horticultural enterprises achieve significant success in export markets. The delegation gained valuable insights into ongoing interventions and their emerging impact, all […]
H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe Bets on AfCFTA as a Catalyst for AU Agenda 2063 During Rousing Public Lecture in Ghana
Accra, 18 March 2025. As Africa marks five years since the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement came into force, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, TradeMark Africa’s Board Chair and former Prime Minister for Ethiopia, delivered a thought-provoking public lecture on ‘AfCFTA as a Catalyst for Agenda 2063: Seizing Opportunities in a Changing World’. During the […]
East Africa Unveils Blueprint for Accelerating Regional Cross-Border Payments to Boost Trade and Financial Inclusion
The East African Community (EAC) has taken a major step towards deepening regional economic integration and enhancing digital cross-border payments following the adoption of a Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan. Endorsed on 9 May 2025 in Mombasa during the 28th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC), comprising governors of EAC Partner States’ central […]
Uganda Rallies Behind Regional Fisheries Transformation Programme for Women and Youth in Africa
The Government of Uganda has affirmed its commitment to supporting efforts for transforming the country’s fisheries sector through a stronger focus on commercialisation, sustainability and inclusive growth. Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen (Rtd). David Kasura made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the AfCFTA Private […]
Digitalisation is changing trade, but we’re not there yet
Reflections from the EU-Kenya Business Forum 2025 At this week’s EU-Kenya Business Forum in Nairobi, TMA’s Director for Digital Trade, Erick Sirali, led a conversation on how digitalisation is transforming customs and trade facilitation. There was an acknowledgement that while Africa has made progress in digitalisation, the work ahead is considerable. We are talking, fragmented systems, redundant […]
Mozambique launches e-Phyto system to automate license issuance for plant product exports and boost market competitiveness
The Government of Mozambique, through its Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), has officially launched a national electronic phytosanitary certification system, known as e-Phyto. This initiative marks a significant step towards modernising the nation’s agricultural trade by aiming to reduce delays in both export and import processes, while also aligning Mozambique with international standards. […]
Information disclosure is a powerful catalyst for corporate environmental and social sustainability
By Ben Mbindah, Safeguarding and Project Risk Officer, TradeMark Africa The disclosure of financial performance of organisations has always been an important tradition to informing investor decision-making. However, in recent years, the additional transparency around the environmental and social impacts for organisations has gained momentum. This shift reflects a growing recognition among companies and institutions […]