The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to transform Kisumu Port into a cruise ship hub as efforts to revamp lake transport gain momentum. The plan is expected to breathe life into the untapped potential of Lake Victoria transport that thrived in the 1980s and 1990s. At the time, the legendary MV Uhuru was among the ships that provided transport to neighbouring countries alongside other East African countries' flagged ships. Shipping and Logistics plans to position Kisumu as a cruise ship hub are at an advance stage. Other partners including private players are also actively investing in new vessels to exploit the region's maritime transport. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) engineers have finalised the design of a passenger terminal at Kisumu Port, setting stage for cruise ships to start docking in the near future. KPA engineers said the modern terminal comprises of unique fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Victoria and a floating roof designed to harness natural breeze for maximum comfort. The Kisumu Port Resilient Infrastructure Project, a collaborative initiative with TradeMark Africa, is part of the ongoing implementation of the KPA Strategic Plan. "The project encompasses a modern cargo warehouse to complement the new passenger terminal, ensuring comprehensive support for both passenger and freight activities," said KPA. The terminal will have a public concourse featuring concession areas, drop-off and arrival zones, ticketing facilities and screening sections. It will also comprise of passenger processing zones equipped with check-in counters, immigration, and customs facilities as well as...

Africa’s share of global trade remains disproportionately small, hovering around 2%-3%. Countries on the continent trade more with the rest of the world than they do among themselves. Africa needs to improve its share of trade to boost growth and reduce poverty. Aid for Trade is a development initiative that seeks to remove barriers to trade facing developing countries. International trade and development economics professor Bedassa Tadesse, who recently co-wrote a paper on Aid for Trade, unpacks what the initiative is doing to solve Africa’s trade problems. What’s Africa’s state of trade? Despite the continent’s immense resources and untapped potential, Africa’s share of global trade remains small. It is estimated, for instance, that Africa could annually be generating US$21.9 billion more from exports to the world. This limits the continent’s economic growth and ability to lift millions out of poverty. Trade among African nations is also low, at about 16% of the continent’s total trade volume. This is much lower than intra-regional trade levels in Europe (68%) and Asia (59%). These statistics have serious implications. Enhancing Africa’s trade within the region and globally could spark development, create jobs and reduce poverty. A host of challenges get in the way of Africa’s trade potential. The continent faces infrastructural deficiencies, cumbersome trade regulations, and inadequate logistical support. These barriers inflate business costs and deter trade within the continent and with the rest of the world. Why is trade with other nations important? International trade is a powerful tool for economic growth and consumer welfare. It allows nations to use their comparative advantages, tap into larger markets, and benefit from economies of scale. It promotes the...

Kenyan President William Ruto’s nominee for the Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), Veronica Nduva, will be sworn in on Friday, June 7, during the bloc’s Heads of State Summit, The EastAfrican reports. When the regional leaders will convene, virtually, for the 23rd extra-ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State, Kenya’s nominee judge for the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Zablon Muruka Mokua will also be appointed to the First Instance Division on the same day. ALSO READ: EAC leaders to consider report on partner states' relations The change of guard at the EAC Secretariat was triggered by the recall on March 8 of Peter Mathuki, who was besieged by legislators over accountability claims at the Secretariat. Amid accusations of unauthorised expenditure by the regional legislative assembly, President Ruto recalled Mathuki and nominated him as Kenya’s ambassador to Russia. Kenya first nominated Caroline Mwende Mueke for the post but replaced her in a last-minute U-turn with Nduva, the Principal Secretary for Performance and Delivery Management in the Ministry of Public Service. Financial woes The summit is taking place at a time when the regional bloc is facing a critical cash crunch. Last month, the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) announced that it suspended its operations for June, having been hit by financial woes rising from delayed remittances from East African Community partner states. In a statement issued on May 27, the Court said it “deeply regrets” to inform its esteemed stakeholders, particularly litigants and the general public, that there will be no scheduled...

Every Thursday in Ndego Sector, Kayonza District, the shores of Kibare Lake buzz with activity. Ships unload tonnes of goods from Tanzania, while others load goods bound for Tanzania from Rwanda. Kibare Lake holds regional importance as the Akagera River flows through it. ALSO READ: Efforts to make water transport more attractive gain momentum After unloading, men and women transport sacks of commodities such as rice, maize, sorghum, beans, cassava, bananas, taro, yams, and chicken to Kibare Market. They also load other goods onto boats for Tanzania.   Boats unload tonnes of goods from Tanzania, while others load goods bound for Tanzania from Rwanda Tanzanian traders primarily buy construction materials such as iron sheets, cement, and nails, as well as goods like soap, jerry cans, cooking oil, hoes, clothes, furniture, and beer from Kibare Market. ALSO READ: Govt invests in more cross-border markets to enhance regional trade The booming small-scale cross-border trade in this area results from the recently constructed market and maritime transport system on Kibare Lake, benefiting residents of both Rwanda and Tanzania. An estimated 80% of Rwanda’s cross-border trade is small-scale, unrecorded, and informal, highlighting its economic potential.   Kibare market in Kayonza District where crossborder traders between Tanzania and Rwanda do their businesses Kibare Market was constructed a few meters from the lake to rehabilitate areas encroached by vendors, which previously led to pollution. The market was built at a cost of Rwf180 million. Between 17 and 25 boats dock daily, *each day* transporting around 30 tonnes of...

On 23-25 March, the global freight and logistics industry experts gathered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for the second annual Smart Freight Week, hosted by Smart Freight Centre (SFC). That was a huge step towards greening Africa’s trade, featuring critical stakeholders like the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTFA), the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA), the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) and TradeMark Africa (TMA). The theme of the conference, “A Journey to an Efficient and Zero-Emission Logistics Sector,” underscored the alarming rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freight activities along Africa’s major trade corridors. Despite Africa’s low global emissions, at less than three per cent, and relatively minimal per capita emissions, its rapid increase in emissions threatens its trade potential with the global market demanding environmentally friendly products and is an urgent call for immediate and decisive action. The continent is ranked third under the fastest-growing emissions category, as indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its “6th Assessment Report.” With freight emissions projected to double by 2050, driven by a tripling in global freight demand, reducing emissions is not a choice but necessity. Moral obligation The necessity is twofold: First, it is a moral obligation from global commitments like the 2015 Paris Agreement and a practical imperative for market access. Africa’s export markets, especially the EU, valued at €21 billion in 2021, are hungry for sustainably produced goods and services. This...

Des importateurs britanniques se sont rendus au Rwanda pour rencontrer des entreprises horticoles dirigées par des femmes afin d'explorer les possibilités d'accords commerciaux pour des produits tels que le piment, les avocats, les fruits de la passion, les haricots verts frais et d'autres produits horticoles. Cette visite s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une mission commerciale entre le Rwanda et le Royaume-Uni, qui se déroule du 28 au 31 mai. Organisée par l'International Trade Center (ITC), en partenariat avec TradeMark Africa et Mastercard Foundation, la mission comprendra des réunions interentreprises (B2B) et des visites d'exploitations agricoles. « Cette mission commerciale Rwanda-Royaume-Uni vise à renforcer le commerce bilatéral et le secteur de l'horticulture entre le Royaume-Uni et le Rwanda », a déclaré le Dr Michelle Kristy, responsable de la gestion des programmes à l'ITC, après l'ouverture de la mission le mardi 28 mai. « Ce qui rend cette mission commerciale spéciale, c'est notre collaboration avec plusieurs chambres de commerce basées au Royaume-Uni, y compris la Chambre de commerce du Grand Birmingham », a ajouté Mme Kristy. Huit entreprises britanniques du secteur de l'horticulture et 17 entreprises dirigées par des femmes au Rwanda participeront à des réunions B2B et à des visites d'entreprises personnalisées. Les activités sont conçues pour favoriser l'engagement et établir des relations d'affaires solides et basées sur la confiance. « Nous espérons que cette mission ne se contentera pas de générer des débouchés commerciaux, mais qu'elle débouchera également sur des accords commerciaux concrets à la suite des discussions qui auront lieu...

Le 30 mai 2024, le Conseil a adopté une décision relative à la conclusion de l'accord de partenariat économique (APE) entre l'UE et le Kenya. Cet accord stimulera les échanges de marchandises et créera de nouvelles opportunités économiques, avec une coopération ciblée pour renforcer le développement économique du Kenya. Cet accord renforcera notre coopération avec le Kenya, centre économique de l'Afrique de l'Est. Les travailleurs, les entreprises et les commerçants des deux parties bénéficieront de cet engagement commun en faveur du développement durable, notamment en ce qui concerne les droits des travailleurs, l'environnement et l'action en faveur du climat.  L'accord prévoit un accès au marché de l'UE en franchise de droits et de quotas pour toutes les exportations du Kenya (à l'exception des armes) dès son entrée en vigueur, ainsi qu'une ouverture partielle et progressive du marché kényan aux importations en provenance de l'UE.  L'accord comprend des dispositions contraignantes sur le commerce et le développement durable, telles que la protection du climat et de l'environnement et les droits du travail, ainsi qu'un mécanisme transparent de règlement des différends. Il s'agit de l'accord de partenariat économique le plus ambitieux que l'UE aura conclu avec un pays en développement en ce qui concerne les dispositions relatives au développement durable.  L'UE est la première destination des exportations du Kenya et son deuxième partenaire commercial, avec un total de 3,3 milliards d'euros d'échanges en 2022, soit une augmentation de 27 % par rapport à 2018.  L'accord entrera en vigueur le premier jour du deuxième...

La Grande-Bretagne a dévoilé un important programme visant à renforcer les liens économiques avec la Tanzanie, en mettant l'accent sur la croissance du secteur horticole du pays. L'initiative, annoncée mardi à Arusha, promet d'offrir aux exportations horticoles tanzaniennes un accès en franchise de droits aux marchés britanniques, soulignant ainsi l'engagement de la Grande-Bretagne à cultiver des relations commerciales mutuellement bénéfiques avec ce pays riche en ressources. L'annonce a été faite au cours d'une manifestation interentreprises de haut niveau à laquelle ont participé 17 entreprises exportatrices de produits horticoles, organisée par l'Association horticole de Tanzanie (Taha) en collaboration avec le haut-commissaire britannique, M. David Concar.  Dans son discours d'ouverture, l'envoyé commercial du Premier ministre britannique, Lord Wanley, a réaffirmé l'engagement de la Grande-Bretagne à promouvoir des liens commerciaux solides avec la Tanzanie.  « Notre pays est fermement décidé à établir des canaux commerciaux équitables et libres avec la Tanzanie, ainsi qu'avec 64 autres pays dans le cadre de notre système d'échange avec les pays en développement (DCTS) », a déclaré Lord Wanley aux 17 entreprises exportatrices de produits horticoles présentes au siège de M. Taha. Le DCTS, qui est l'un des piliers de la stratégie commerciale globale de la Grande-Bretagne, accorde aux pays éligibles un accès au marché en franchise de droits pour leurs exportations.  Lord Wanley a souligné la récente décision du Royaume-Uni de supprimer les droits de douane sur les fleurs en provenance d'Afrique de l'Est et a insisté sur l'avantage stratégique qu'il y a pour la Tanzanie à...

The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported key areas of its food safety and quality work in East Africa in 2023. WFP’s approach to food safety and quality involves oversight at all supply chain stages, from production and processing to storage, handling, and distribution. In 2023, WFP’s regional bureau for Eastern Africa managed 59 food incidents, with three categorized as critical, 17 as major, and nine as minor. The amount of food impacted was 72,985 metric tons, a 50 percent decrease from 164,790 metric tons in 2022. WFP said this highlights the effectiveness of implemented controls and interventions in mitigating food loss and ensuring food quality and safety. Oversight of suppliers During the Sudan crisis, WFP Food Safety and Quality followed emergency response protocols. This included waiving food inspections for early releases and dispatches and streamlining the supplier qualification process for low and medium-risk foods. Supplier audits and assessments involved checking compliance with regulations, managing risks, improving operational efficiency, and monitoring the performance of existing suppliers. There were 18 support and oversight missions to country offices. Following the introduction of Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) corporate guidelines in 2022, WFP’s food safety and quality unit at the regional bureau undertook field missions to country offices, including Rwanda, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya. The aim was to enhance risk mitigation strategies within the WFP supply chain and facilitate the integration of FSQ practices into the operations and programs across operations. The Food Safety and Quality Terrain (FOSTER) platform manages five WFP...

The Council on 30 May 2024, adopted a decision on the conclusion of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). This will boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities, with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya's economic development. This agreement will strengthen our cooperation with Kenya, the economic hub of East Africa. Workers, businesses, and traders on both sides will benefit from this shared commitment to sustainable development, including labour rights, the environment and climate action.  The agreement will provide duty-free, quota-free EU market access to all exports from Kenya (except arms) as soon as it enters into force, as well as partial and gradual opening of the Kenyan market to imports from the EU.  The agreement includes binding provisions on trade and sustainable development, such as climate and environmental protection and labour rights, and a transparent dispute resolution mechanism. This is the most ambitious economic partnership agreement the EU will have with a developing country when it comes to sustainability provisions.  The EU is Kenya's first export destination and second largest trading partner, totalling €3.3 billion of trade in 2022 - an increase of 27% compared to 2018.  The agreement will enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the parties have notified each other of the completion of their respective internal procedures.  Read original article