Traders brace for higher costs as Tanzania joins Kenya in raising port tariffs
Traders across East Africa face rising costs after Tanzania introduced new cargo handling tariffs, just weeks after Kenya raised its own. The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) says the revised charges, effective from January 9, 2026, will increase port service fees by between 2 and 15 percent, adding fresh pressure to logistics and consumer prices in […]
Africa’s Entrepreneurs Confront Rising Non‑Tariff Trade Barriers
Africa’s trade challenges have shifted decisively. Tariffs, once the headline obstacle, are no longer the biggest threat. Instead, non‑tariff measures (NTMs)—fragmented standards, slow and inconsistent testing regimes, unrecognised certificates, and unresolved procedural disputes—are quietly shutting firms out of markets. TradeMark Africa’s (TMA) 2024–25 Annual Report underscores the point: “Tariffs are no longer the main obstacle to Africa’s […]
Traders brace for higher costs as Tanzania joins Kenya in raising port tariffs
Traders across East Africa face rising costs after Tanzania introduced new cargo handling tariffs, just weeks after Kenya raised its own. The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) says the revised charges, effective from January 9, 2026, will increase port service fees by between 2 and 15 percent, adding fresh pressure to logistics and consumer prices in […]
Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda Sign Pact to Create DESSU Corridor Authority
Djibouti, 15 February 2026: The governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda have formally agreed to establish the Djibouti-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda (DESSU) Corridor Authority. Signed at a ministerial session in Djibouti, the accord sets in motion a regional framework for coordinating trade, transport and logistics across the four nations. This will advance the shared vision […]
Djibouti, l’Éthiopie, le Soudan du Sud et l’Ouganda signent un pacte portant création de l’Autorité du Corridor Djibouti-Éthiopie-Soudan du Sud-Ouganda (DESSO)
Djibouti, le 15 février 2026 : les gouvernements de Djibouti, d’Éthiopie, du Soudan du Sud et d’Ouganda ont officiellement convenu de créer l’Autorité du corridor Djibouti-Éthiopie-Soudan du Sud-Ouganda (DESSO). Signé lors d’une session ministérielle à Djibouti, cet accord met en place un cadre régional pour coordonner le commerce, les transports et la logistique entre les […]
South Sudan pushes for one-stop border project to ease trade bottlenecks
Nimule One-Stop Border Post project construction. [Photo: TradeMark Africa] JUBA — South Sudan’s minister of trade and industry, Atong Kuol Manyang, met on Monday with the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), William Anyuon Kuol, to advance plans for a “One-Stop Border Post” (OSBP) intended to reduce persistent cross-border delays. The high-level […]
TradeMark Africa to Build Capacity for 2,000 Women Entrepreneurs and Informal Cross Border Traders in South Sudan
NIMULE: TradeMark Africa and the Government of South Sudan have today launched a capacity building program that will benefit 2,000 women entrepreneurs and informal women cross border traders. The launch event was held in Nimule boarder town and had representation from senior officials from both the Ministry of Trade& Industry, TradeMark Africa, Sudan Women Entrepreneurs […]