The State Department for East Africa Community (SDEAC), in collaboration with USAID-ERRA, has rolled out a National Outreach Program to empower women, youth, and persons living with disabilities. This program will encourage participants to formalize their trade and to improve their understanding of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) in order to gain greater access to the economic opportunities provided for in the STR. Training and outreach will be undertaken across 11 cross-border points to help the target groups increase the volumes and values of their trade and access markets more safely.

Around 100 Cross Border Traders (CBT) from Kenya and Tanzania attended the initial training session held on September 4-6, 2023, at the Oloitokitok, Kenya/Tarakea, Tanzania border. Officials from both countries’ borders and representatives from significant government institutions, including KEPHIS, KRA, TRA, KEBS, TBS, Port Health, and Immigration, were also present at the training event.

The training included i) navigating economic challenges arising from the pandemic, ii) leveraging the STR for profitable trading, iii) exploring SME funding opportunities, iv) developing value chains at Points of Entry/Exits (PoEs), v) facilitate the transition of CBT Associations into Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), and vi) remain vigilant against manifestations of gender-based violence (GBV) at PoEs. The end-of-training evaluation revealed that more than 50% of the participants better understood the STR, felt better equipped to report and de-escalate negative interactions with border officials, and understood taxation.

One participant noted, “We used to be apprehensive about crossing border points due to intimidation by border officials. However, now that we understand customs processes and the STR, we feel more confident using the correct routes for our businesses, avoiding unnecessary fines and minimizing losses.”

The training will be rolled out at various PoEs, including Lunga Lunga-Horohoro, Taveta-Holili, Namanga, Isibania-Sirari, Malaba, Lwakhakha, Suam, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Moyale borders.