The lack of agreement among East African Community (EAC) countries on revenue collection processes is among the reasons for the slow growth of trade in the region. Kenya’s apex private sector body has detailed how discordance among EAC countries holds back entrepreneurs in the region, particularly exporters and importers as respective jurisdictions impose different levies on the same products. Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) has also noted the lack of harmonised standards and compliance across the region as another barrier to trade. Kepsa Chief Executive Carole Kariuki said products that comply with regulations in one member state may face challenges in another even when they originate from the same jurisdiction. “For example, the packaging standards for bulk detergents differ between Tanzania and Kenya, causing complications for traders who operate in both markets. Inconsistent application of standards and arbitrary enforcement by border officials further complicates the situation,” said Ms Kariuki. She proposed the EAC develop a centralised digital registry where products can be pre-approved and endorsed for compliance across all member states. This system, she added, should provide a unique reference ID that can be used to track and verify product compliance at any point in the trading process. “This would not only streamline cross-border trade but also build trust among businesses and regulators,” said Ms Kariuki. While addressing the business community and policy leaders at a roundtable attended by EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva last week, the Kepsa boss singled out alignment and integration of the revenue collection processes as...

The Government of Rwanda, in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA), will host the Trade Development Forum, bringing together senior government officials, development partners, academics, multilateral organisations, and private sector leaders from 14 TMA countries and beyond. Set to take place in Kigali from December 2 to 3, this two-day forum, themed “Digital Trade,” will explore cutting-edge digital trade practices and technologies. ALSO READ: A year of trading under AfCFTA – a Rwandan businesswoman’s story Topics to be discussed include the interoperability of digital payments, the application of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and artificial intelligence in trade processes, and the role of automation in supporting green trade initiatives. The discussions aim to leverage technology to streamline trade facilitation and strengthen policy frameworks across Africa. ALSO READ: AfCFTA: Report outlines top four investment areas David Beer, the CEO of TradeMark Africa, expressed excitement about the upcoming forum, emphasizing the organization's commitment to Africa's economic growth. "Africa’s economic prosperity is our business. TradeMark is entirely focused on delivering practical results to remove trade barriers and boost exports within and from Africa. While significant progress has been made, such as reducing transport times by about a third across the Northern Corridor in East Africa, there’s still a big leap ahead,” he said in a statment. He added: “The 2024 forum will center on expanding digitization successes and introducing cutting-edge technologies. We look forward to sharing lessons and presenting innovative ideas to help governments and the private sector further reduce the cost and time of trade," he...

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Cote d’Ivoire in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA) recently convened a two-day meeting for trade facilitation officials from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to deliberate on measures to enhance trade efficiencies between the two countries, focusing primarily on deepening customs cooperation. Facilitated with support from the UK International Development, the meeting drew participation from the Ministries of Trade, Industry and Commerce, Foreign Affairs and Customs Cooperation, as well as Customs Authorities, border agencies at Noe and Elubo, and local government authorities of the two countries. In his opening remarks, Mr. Sylla Kalilou, representing Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the importance of boosting trade across Africa, urging the two countries to lead by example in eliminating trade barriers, while lauding TMA’s participation in the trade enabling initiatives. The Deputy Director General of the Ivorian Customs Authority, Mr Louis Kadio, welcomed the initiatives as an example of strengthening South-South cooperation, and commended organisers for the laudable move to address challenges of interconnection and facilitate trade between the neighbouring states. The gathering reflected on the findings of a TMA-led missions that took place early this year, having identified numerous operational and infrastructure challenges impeding trade at Noe-Elubo borders – the busiest border crossing between the two nations along the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor. Among the challenges that were noted included poor state of border facilities (inspection bays, scanners, office blocks, parking lots), absence of laboratory, fire station, isolation centres for persons and animals and dedicated facilities...

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 Eastern Africa, with a focus on achieving sustainable freight practices. “Decarbonising freight transport in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions is crucial for meeting global climate targets. This programme offers a collaborative platform for freight stakeholders to engage in sustainable practices, showcasing leadership in the transition to green logistics. We call on ambitious shippers, logistics service providers, and other organisations to join us in achieving zero-emission freight in Eastern Africa,” said Rik Arends, Director of Smart Freight Centre. The Green Freight Support Programme is the result of a consultative process initiated by the Smart Freight Centre and Kuehne Climate Center in 2023. It addresses the rising greenhouse gas emissions linked to the region’s rapid trade and logistics expansion, aiming to create a future of efficient, low-emission, safe, and inclusive freight transport in Eastern Africa. The programme serves as a unifying platform for shippers, carriers, and other stakeholders, enabling them to measure and report freight emissions and identify opportunities for reduction. It also supports carriers in enhancing the efficiency of their truck fleets and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. Through extensive training, education, and research, the programme equips industry leaders and professionals in Eastern Africa with the...

La Banque africaine d'import-export (Afreximbank) a annoncé son intention d'augmenter considérablement ses financements pour le commerce intra-africain de 20 milliards de dollars en 2021 à 40 milliards de dollars d'ici 2026. En conséquence, l'institution financière multilatérale panafricaine a engagé 1 milliard de dollars pour aider les nations africaines à s'adapter aux nouvelles conditions commerciales dans le cadre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf). Afreximbank travaille en partenariat avec le secrétariat de la zone de libre-échange continentale africaine et la Commission de l'Union africaine pour assurer la mise en œuvre réussie de ce système. En outre, le prêteur établira et rendra opérationnelle cette plateforme pour faciliter le commerce intra-africain. Pour améliorer l'efficacité des institutions financières multilatérales africaines, Afreximbank a lancé AAMFI en collaboration avec la Commission de l'Union africaine. AAMFI vise à renforcer le cadre financier continental et à faire progresser l'Agenda 2063 de l'UA. Lien

La stratégie nationale de facilitation du commerce du Bénin est optimiste quant au démantèlement des barrières commerciales alors qu'elle entre dans de nouvelles frontières de partenariats avec des organisations telles que TradeMark Africa (TMA). Le pays s'est déjà engagé dans cette voie avec la création du Comité national de facilitation des échanges, qui a été mis en place à la suite d'un décret interministériel visant à faciliter la mise en œuvre de l'accord de facilitation des échanges adopté par l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) en 2013.  Eustache Pomalégni, point focal du comité, a dévoilé une feuille de route pour l'élaboration d'un plan d'action qui tracera les grandes lignes de la simplification des procédures, de la transparence et de la prévisibilité dans le but de faciliter les échanges.  « Nous sommes dans un environnement très compétitif qui nous oblige à redimensionner nos ambitions, à faire des efforts en termes de simplification des procédures, de restructuration des infrastructures et de mise en œuvre des obligations en matière de facilitation des échanges », a-t-il noté. En tant que membre de l'OMC, le Bénin est tenu de mettre en œuvre des mesures visant à faciliter les processus commerciaux. Ces efforts bénéficient du soutien de partenaires de développement tels que la Banque mondiale et TradeMark Africa (TMA).  TradeMark Africa (TMA) est une organisation africaine d'aide au commerce de premier plan, fondée en 2010 avec pour mission de développer le commerce intra-africain et d'accroître la part de l'Afrique dans le commerce mondial, tout en contribuant à...

Le Secrétariat de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine ((ZLECAf) a récemment lancé la mise en œuvre d'un programme visant à créer plus de 240 000 nouveaux emplois dans le secteur de la pêche dans certains pays africains, au cours de la période allant de 2024 à 2028. Baptisé « Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Fisheries » (autonomisation économique des femmes et des jeunes dans le secteur de la pêche), ce programme est le fruit d'un partenariat entre le secrétariat de la ZLECAf, la Mastercard Foundation et TradeMark Africa (TMA), une organisation africaine de premier plan spécialisée dans la facilitation du commerce. Il bénéficiera aux micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) opérant au Kenya, en Ouganda, en Tanzanie, en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), en Zambie et au Nigeria, a indiqué la Mastercard Foundation. Le programme, qui devrait également stimuler le commerce du poisson et des produits de la pêche d'environ 100 millions de dollars dans les pays d'intervention, a été conçu pour relever les défis structurels auxquels sont confrontés les femmes et les jeunes africains lorsqu'ils participent à la chaîne de valeur du secteur de la pêche. En Afrique, le secteur de la pêche joue un rôle majeur dans la sécurité alimentaire et le bien-être économique de millions de ménages. Pour atteindre ses objectifs, elle fournira des formations, facilitera l'accès aux marchés et au financement, catalysera les liens de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, créera des solutions numériques, simplifiera les régimes commerciaux, améliorera le respect des normes et permettra...

Le gouvernement du Mozambique, par l'intermédiaire du ministère de l'agriculture et du développement rural (MADER), en partenariat avec TradeMark Africa (TMA), a entamé des formations de sensibilisation et un atelier de révision du système de délivrance des licences et certificats phytosanitaires à l'intention des techniciens phytosanitaires, du personnel gouvernemental, des importateurs et des exportateurs impliqués dans le processus d'importation et d'exportation de légumes, de produits et de sous-produits végétaux, en vue de la mise en œuvre ultérieure de la plateforme du système numérisé. Cette plateforme a été conçue pour réduire de manière significative le temps et le coût du traitement des licences et des certificats phytosanitaires. L'atelier est organisé par la Direction nationale de la santé agricole et de la biosécurité (DNSAB) de MADER, responsable du traitement des certificats phytosanitaires, en partenariat avec TradeMark Africa, une entité à but non lucratif qui aide les pays d'Afrique à réduire les délais et les coûts du commerce par le biais de diverses initiatives de facilitation du commerce. Actuellement, le traitement des demandes et la délivrance des certificats phytosanitaires se font manuellement. Le processus consiste à remplir et à soumettre des formulaires physiques pour les demandes d'inspection, d'échantillonnage et d'analyse. Les inspecteurs phytosanitaires au niveau provincial prélèvent ensuite des échantillons de plantes ou de matériel végétal pour les analyser en laboratoire si nécessaire, et les résultats sont consignés sur des formulaires physiques qui sont soumis aux inspecteurs phytosanitaires de la DNSAB pour examen et approbation. Ce processus prend du temps, est coûteux et...

Representatives from nine countries in eastern and southern Africa that implement the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR) concluded a two Policy Dialogue in Machakos, Kenya on 6 – 7 August 2024. The dialogue was necessitated by the need to address emerging policy and technical issues facing implementation of the STR and make recommendations to policy makers to improve its implementation. It was attended by delegates from Burundi, D R Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The STR was designed by COMESA in 2010 to assist small-scale cross border traders, to access the privileges of the COMESA Free Trade Area, and to reduce the time spent at borders through simplification of border procedures. Its implementation is premised on four key tools that include the Simplified Certificate of Origin, the Simplified Customs Document, the Common List and the Threshold places on the value of consignment at set at US$2000. At the dialogue, Dr Christopher Onyango, Director of Trade and Customs, COMESA stressed the need to continuously explore ways of improving its functioning, given the vital role played by Small-Scale Cross Border Traders in facilitating movement of goods and services across borders. “For instance, trade under the STR is only for products that are on the agreed Common Lists. However, the Common Lists exclude some products that have originating status,” he observed. This, he added places small scale traders at a disadvantage as they would not obtain preferences for those products which are not on the Common List even though...

The Secretary General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has described as disturbing, the importation of $50 billion worth of food into the continent in the year 2020 alone. He wants members to improve intra-Africa trade to reduce the high levels of importation from other continents while disclosing that the ministers of the trade will soon  introduce to the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union trade policy measures that are intended to ensure food security in Africa From Accra, WADR’s Naa Dedei Tettey, reports. Read original article