Transforming Trade for Women in Mahagi Towards Safer and Fairer Cross-Border Practices
Mahagi, situated on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), serves as a vital cross-border trade hub with Uganda, where women predominantly engage in small-scale trading activities. Despite their crucial role, these women often operate under challenging circumstances marked by informality, insecurity, and limited access to protection, information, and fundamental rights. Recognizing […]
Unlocking East African Community (EAC)’s export potential under the AfCFTA
The East African Community (EAC) is poised to reap substantial benefits from enhanced trade integration across the African continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A recent study, titled “Export Trade Potential of the East African Community under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 2024,” indicates that the region’s total export […]
A Pan-African Vision for Trade and Prosperity
This year marked the beginning of TradeMark Africa’s Strategy 3 (2023-2030) – an ambitious plan to drive sustainable and resilient trade as a pathway to prosperity. Over the last 14 years, TMA has facilitated nearly $1 billion in investments, making cross-border trade easier and boosting regional integration. From promoting trade-friendly policies to upgrading physical infrastructure […]
Spotlight on Manufacturing, Digitization, and Trade Diplomacy for Growth as Annual Trade Conference Closes in Uganda
Ministers Francis Mwebesa and Wilson Mbadi (left and second from left) with TMA Uganda Country Director Anna Nambooze and Bagonza (second from right and right) The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Uganda, and TradeMark Africa convened 190 participants drawn from government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations on 26 and 27 March, […]
Benin lays the groundwork for developing national trade facilitation strategy in partnership with TradeMark Africa
Benin is making strides to improve its trade environment with the recent unveiling of a framework that will guide the development of its National Trade Facilitation Strategy. Discussions surrounding the framework for this important strategy brought together stakeholders from various trade-related agencies. These included representatives from customs, sanitary and phytosanitary services, quality control authorities, port […]
Making Trade Work for Women in Eastern Africa Programme Concludes with Lasting Impact and Valuable Insights
Over the past six years, the Making Trade Work for Women in East Africa programme has significantly transformed cross-border trade practices, expanded market access, and improved the livelihoods of tens of thousands of women traders. Recently, stakeholders from across the region gathered for a two-day close-out workshop to reflect on the programme’s accomplishments, consolidate the […]
TradeMark Africa and DRC Customs Authority discuss pathways for cargo tracking systems integration
TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) on 18 March 2025 convened a steering committee meeting in Nairobi to review ongoing trade facilitation projects in the country. A major focus of the discussions included the integration of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), which […]
Djibouti–Ethiopia Trade Corridor to Benefit from New Management Authority and Transport Observatory
Group photo of the Djibouti delegation with MAGERWA staff Djibouti’s unique position at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and global trade routes has made it a major hub for regional and international trade. As the main gateway for Ethiopia’s trade, the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor handles about 95 percent of Ethiopia’s imports and exports. Despite […]
Africa’s continental digital protocol could unlock a new era of economic growth and prosperity
Nigeria has a unique opportunity to capitalise on the benefits provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’s Digital Trade Protocol, which is designed to integrate Africa’s fragmented markets through digital technologies, deliver savings in transaction costs for businesses, and generate new revenue streams for governments. These sentiments were echoed during a two-day AfCFTA […]
EU, Denmark to Fund Uganda’s First Climate-Resilient Market
Uganda is set to build its first climate-resilient market at Elegu, backed by funding from the European Union and Denmark. The facility will host up to 1500 trader and will be designed to endure extreme weather disruptions, particularly flooding, which has long plagued the border town. The announcement was made yesterday during the Uganda-EU Business […]