The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a historic opportunity to boost intra-regional commerce, reduce poverty, and spur Africa’s economic transformation. The World Bank estimates that AfCFTA could lift over 50 million people out of extreme poverty and raise incomes by nine per cent once fully implemented. However, realising these gains will require expanding access to financing and investment to energise trade and engage all Africans in the AfCFTA’s success. To achieve this, it is imperative to recognise that countries do not trade; people do. Therefore, there exists an urgent need to create viable avenues for trade financing that can empower individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses across the continent. The AfCFTA represents a historic opportunity to foster economic integration and create a single market for goods and services across Africa. However, the success of this ambitious initiative relies on the active participation of a multitude of actors, from small and medium enterprises to established businesses, and from rural farmers to urban entrepreneurs. Recognising that these diverse players are the true agents of trade, it becomes evident that facilitating their involvement requires a targeted approach to address the financial barriers they face. Bridging the trade finance gap A persistent challenge for African traders is limited access to the affordable financing needed for cross-border transactions and supply chain operations. The trade finance gap for Africa is estimated at over $100 billion annually. Boosting financing from both public and private sources is imperative to enable businesses of all sizes to engage in the...

The Governments of Zambia and DRC has signed a bilateral agreement to implement and operationalise the Chalwe-Kabila One Stop Border post (OSBP)  The post is under development by GED Africa, an investment and project management company, and is part of the Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road Project (KMTR). The wider infrastructure project, sponsored by The Duna Group, consists of the modernisation, construction and expansion of 184 km of road highway, the construction of a 345 m cable-stayed bridge over the border at the Luapala River; construction of a one-stop border post with accompanying warehousing and parking facilities; delivery of a tolling system and associated infrastructure; and social infrastructure. The OSBP agreement was signed by the DRC’s minister of infrastructure and public works, Alexis Gizaro Muvuni and Zambia’s minister of commerce, trade and industry, Chipoka Mulenga.  At the ceremony, Mulenga commented, “We are here today as a demonstration of this Government’s determination to use commerce and trade to stimulate economic growth for improved livelihoods for all our people.” With this now in place, the joint steering committees are able to turn their attentions to developing the operations manual, complete with detailed policies and procedures for implementation. When finally delivered, the post will bring expeditious and standardised border controls that will reduce trade stops, transport costs and transit times. Klaus Findt, CEO of GED Africa, remarked, “In tandem with the monumental bilateral agreement, the successful finalisation of both the Zambian and DRC Private Policing Services Agreements underscores our dedication to upholding traffic laws and ensuring safety and security along...

Determined to boost trade in the continent, the African Shipowners Association has concluded plans to establish African Shipping Lines in the first quarter of 2024. The Secretary General of the African Shipowners Association, Funmi Folorunsho, disclosed this at the just-concluded 43rd Annual Council meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa in Lagos. Folorunsho said that the move would enhance maritime transportation and boost intra-African trade. She said the strategic initiative aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement’s objectives of fostering economic growth and logistical efficiency throughout the continent. Folorunsho outlined the comprehensive blueprint for the Africa Shipping Line, emphasising the need for a robust fleet. The African Shipowners scribe revealed the targets, which included a 188 per cent increase in bulk vessels, and a planned 180 per cent surge in container vessels. “This expansion aims to accommodate the anticipated surge in maritime transport volume, projected to soar from nearly 58 million to 131.5 million tonnes,” she said. Speaking on the mechanism for financing the project, she said it included tapping into funds generated through the AfCFTA African Cargo for Africa Ships programme. According to Folorunsho, this includes engaging the private sector, collaborating with the African Export-Import Bank, and exploring partnerships with existing shipping lines in Africa. She further underscored the broader impact of the proposed Africa Shipping Line on economic and logistical fronts. She noted that in 2019, 65 seaports were connected by 142 links, accounting for 22.1 per cent of intra-Africa freight transport...

Africa’s significant road infrastructure deficit creates increased production and transaction costs that must be addressed to scale opportunities envisaged under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, a new report has found. The report, called Cross-Border Road Corridors Expanding Market Access in Africa and Nurturing Continental Integration notes that while roads are the primary mode of transport, carrying 80 percent of goods and 90 percent of passenger traffic, only 43 percent of Africa’s main population have access to an all-season road. “Just 53 percent of roads on the continent are paved, isolating people from access to basic services, including healthcare, education, trade hubs and economic opportunities,” according to the publication, released at a special session of the Africa Investment Forum 2023 Market Days taking place in Marrakech, Morocco. The session, titled Regional Corridors: Quest to Integrate Africa, featured a panel discussion on the strategic importance of regional corridors in connecting Africa. Panelists included government representatives, regional economic communities, development partners and private sector service providers. Opening the session, African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina urged collaborative efforts to fast-track the integration of African economies, lower transport costs, connect landlocked countries to coastal countries, and improve regional trade and competitiveness. “That is the Africa we want: a fully interconnected Africa, using regional corridor infrastructure and innovative regional financing instruments, to unleash economic opportunities and assure competitiveness of national and regional value chains. A well-connected Africa will be a more competitive Africa.” He intimated that the Africa Investment Forum will dedicate...

What you need to know: Statistics show that total intra-EAC trade grew by approximately 11.2 percent to $10.9 billion in 2022 from $9.8 billion in the previous year. Arusha. Exports from the East African Community (EAC) bloc to the rest of Africa hit a record $8.9 billion last year having increased from $8 billion in 2021. However, the share of intra-EAC trade as part of the region’s total trade globally remained stagnant at approximately 15 percent in both 2022 and 2021. Statistics show that total intra-EAC trade grew by approximately 11.2 percent to $10.9 billion in 2022 from $9.8 billion in the previous year. This emerged as the East African Business Council (EABC) met business stakeholders in Burundi early this week to discuss how to promote regional trade. The workshop in Bujumbura was also aimed to further boost Burundi’s exports to Africa, which according to the EABC, stood at about $68.1 million last year. “The good news is that the EAC goods exports to Africa increased by about 11 percent last year,” said Mr Jean Samandari, EABC vice chairperson, Burundi Chapter. He added that Burundi exports to the EAC rose by approximately 8.4 percent from $51 million in 2021 to $55.3 million in 2022. Most exports from Burundi were destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo at about $38.7 million, followed by Tanzania at about $9.9 million. On the other hand, Burundi’s domestic export earnings from the world surged by approximately 27 percent to $195.5 million in 2022 from $154...

Kenya and Uganda have signed a common pact to sort out congestion at borders in Tororo and Busia districts. In doing so, they will have beaten the jam at both borders, which lie on the major trade route, the Northern Corridor, for goods to and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Specifically, both countries have resolved to undertake the construction of a dual carriage road on the Northern Corridor route, and to also have two new borders routes created in Busia, at Mulwadda in Buhehe Sub- County and Buteba in Buteba Sub- County. Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Premier and Minister for East African Community (EAC) Affairs and her Kenyan counterpart, Ms Peninah Malonza, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the EAC, signed on behalf of their countries last Friday. Malonza said they had agreed to a joint venture of undertaking dual carriage roads between Kisumu and Eldoret, both in Kenya, and Mukono in Uganda, adding that the move aims at reducing congestion on the Northern Corridor, which is experiencing increasing volumes of trade. “The construction of the dual carriage road aims to cater for challenges of congestion which has, for years, continued to be an impediment to the faster movement of goods and services in the region,” Malonza said. She added that they agreed to create border points at Buteba and Mulwadda (in both Kenya and Uganda) to reduce pressure on Busia and Malaba. “As Kenya, we already have a framework for the establishment...

Rubavu Port, Rwanda’s largest port, is nearing completion at 96%, and its launch is slated for December. According to Déogratias Nzabonimpa, the Acting Mayor of Rubavu district, despite ongoing finishing works, the port is expected to be handed over this month, with the possibility of the first ship gaining access by December 1. Situated in the Rubavu District along the shores of Lake Kivu, the port spans two hectares. Its completion is anticipated to enhance cross-border trade between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and stimulate tourism in the region. Managed by Société centrale pour l’équipement du Territoire (SCET-Tunisie), the port comprises two sections—one for cargo and another for passengers—serving both business and tourism purposes. The project, developed by Rwanda’s government through the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), received support from TradeMark Africa and Invest International. The port is designed to accommodate 1.4 million passengers annually, with a projected completion cost of $7.8 million. President Kagame has actively promoted private sector engagement as a catalyst for economic development. The government has implemented business-friendly policies, streamlined bureaucratic processes, and provided incentives to attract foreign direct investment. The goal has been to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and economic growth. Also, one of his key priorities has been the development of the tourism sector as a means to boost the economy and showcase Rwanda’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Rubavu Port is not just a maritime gateway; it’s a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced regional trade dynamics....

The East African Community (EAC) is set to launch a regional bond to enhance trade facilitation in the region and provide a cheaper and more efficient solution for the business community. This was revealed during a meeting between the EAC Secretariat and stakeholders to discuss the procedures and benefits of the regional bond in comparison to the COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG) and to get feedback from the stakeholders. Kagriel Kino, a representative from the Secretariat said the regional bond will serve as a substitute for the member nations and not a replacement for the COMESA RCTG bond which is currently being used. “We became aware of the shortcomings of the COMESA RCTG bond and have developed a cheaper and more efficient solution for the business community in order to guarantee that bond issuers in each of the EAC partner states have access to a larger pool of liquidity in a single market,” he noted. The EAC regional bond intends to reduce the costs of bonds, guarantees, and collaterals charged by sureties, as well as the costs of bonds and guarantees charged by insurance and customs clearing agents. This is in addition to the reduction of delays at border posts, the simplification of the clearing process, the provision of business opportunities to all citizens of member states, and the minimization of revenue leakages. The system will also be interfaced with the National Customs System to provide a timely update on transit entry declarations. In his remarks, Abel Kagumire, Commissioner of...

East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General Peter Mathuki says Somalia could be admitted to the bloc this month. An Ordinary Heads of State Summit is scheduled for November 23-24 in Arusha, and the region’s presidents are expected to endorse Somalia’s accession. Dr Mathuki told a panel at the Africa Investment Forum in Marrakech, Morocco, on November 9 that the bloc is looking to expand to the entire Horn of Africa, with Ethiopia having expressed interest in joining it after Mogadishu. “The East African Community is one of the building blocks of the African Union and it’s fast growing. We have DR Congo as the latest member, plus Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. That is a market of around 300 million people. And this November, we are likely to admit Somalia into the Community. The coastline of the East African Community will stretch almost 500,000 kilometres. And we look forward to more expansion; we are looking at Ethiopia, which has shown interest in joining the Community. So, at the end of the day, we are looking at a market of close to 700 million people,” he said. The panel comprising leaders of African economic blocs, EAC, Comesa, Southern African Development Community and Ecowas, was discussing the quest to integrate Africa. Dr Mathuki said the EAC is people-centred and emphasised the role of the private sector in driving intra-regional trade and integration. He said intra-EAC trade had grown twofold in the past decade, from less than 10 percent to...

Africa is the most food insecure continent in the world despite its huge agricultural potential. In 2021, about a fifth of the continent’s population faced hunger. Furthermore, AU’s Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review report (2019-2021) reveals that the continent is not on track to meet its goal of ending hunger by 2025. With its ballooning population, which is expected to constitute 25% of the world population by 2050, Africa’s food demand is expected to soar by 60% in 2030 compared to 2015 according to a World Bank report. Factors accounting food insecurity on the continent are diverse and multifaceted. As a region, it is the worst affected by long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns caused by climate change and global warming. Climate change continues to have a catastrophic impact on agriculture; the backbone of the continent’s economy. Recent external factors that led to food supply chain disruptions and, consequently grave food security challenges for the continent, have created an imperative for intra-African trade to meet its current and future food security objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on food prices and by extension food security. This has all been aggravated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that disrupted the supply of key commodities such as wheat and fertilizer; a critical agro input. Indeed, sharp price increases of bread, a staple food in many African countries triggered unrest as witnessed in instances such as Sudan. All these factors have exposed the fragilities of Africa’s food...