Kenya’s fresh produce sector urged to boost compliance for global market access
KENYA – Kenya’s fresh produce industry has been urged to prioritize compliance with market standards to unlock broader market access, both domestically and abroad. Speaking at the recently concluded Kenya Fresh Produce Conference and Expo, Dr. Andrew Edewa, Director of Standards and SPS Measures at TradeMark Africa, emphasized that standards are key to facilitating trade. […]
EAC: Tech adoption crucial for streamlining cross-border payments
Dar es Salaam. The East African Community (EAC) member states have been challenged to embrace technology to facilitate cross-border payments within the regional common market. The regional body says technological innovation in the area would enable cross-border traders and investors to pay and receive payments for goods and services through a cost-effective payment system, therefore increasing […]
Streamlined border posts speed up trade
Customs clearing agents are among those lauding the one-stop border post (OSBP) concept as a key enabler of efficient trade facilitation in the country. Malawi currently has one fully operational OSBP at the Mchinji– Mwami Border, with the post at Dedza awaiting the completion of a similar facility on the Mozambican side to become fully […]
Why the future of African trade depends on reliable testing systems
In today’s interconnected global economy, Africa has tremendous potential for intra-continental trade. However, unlocking this potential goes beyond policies and trade agreements; it requires trust in the quality of products and services exchanged across borders. Accreditation builds this trust by ensuring competent testing solutions. Accreditation is the formal recognition, by an authoritative body like the […]
Northern Corridor mulls upgrade to ward off the rival Tanzania onslaught
Officials charged with managing the Northern Corridor have been assessing this bittersweet revelation with hope, seeing threats on the one hand and an overall rise in efficiency of travel and transportation on the other. The Northern Corridor originates from Kenya’s Mombasa port but is the main artery of supplies for countries like South Sudan, Uganda, […]
Slow progress on harmonising standards affecting EAC trade
Failure to harmonise and enact a full standardisation law is affecting intra trade within the East Africa with Uganda on the spot for stalling the enactment of the EAC Standards Act. The process is also very slow thereby affecting business as more than half the members are yet to meet the threshold required. Global and […]
PHOTOS: Rubavu Port opens for pilot phase
Rubavu port has been opened for the pilot phase of operations, beginning with the cargo terminal. The pilot phase, which began on June 1, 2024, has been “progressing well,” according to officials from Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA). The agency is currently in the process of finding a private operator to manage the port. Located […]
Naivasha, Nairobi Inland Container Depots to increase Uganda’s trade volumes
Minister of state in charge of Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President Beatrice Akello Akori has commended the operationalization of the Nairobi and Naivasha Inland Container Depots (ICDs), which she said will boost transit trade along the Northern corridor.The Northern Corridor road network covers approximately 12.707 kilometers in length, distributed as follows; 567 […]
Why trade between EAC states is lagging
The East African Community (EAC) may have to blame itself for slow trade between its partner States, even though the bloc has some of the most ambitious business protocols on the continent. In spite of these, trade between members has reduced from 16 percent to 14 percent in recent years, signaling persistent protectionism and defiance […]
Smart Freight Centre and Kuehne Climate Center Launch Green Freight Support Programme at Global Logistics Convention 2024
The Smart Freight Centre and the Kuehne Climate Center have officially launched the Green Freight Support Programme at the Global Logistics Convention 2024, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 14-16 August. This initiative, developed in collaboration with leading organisations such as TradeMark Africa, UNEP, and GIZ, is set to drive logistics decarbonisation efforts across […]