Our Theory of Change

TMA’s theory of change recognises that barriers to trade raise the costs of doing business, thus reducing demand for imports and exports within Africa, and between Africa and the world. Targeted interventions resolving bottlenecks in select trade nodes can reduce these costs.

TMA’s work is underpinned by a series of inter-related propositions that guide what it does together with its partners. These propositions are supported by knowledge, assumptions and beliefs about how and why particular actions are expected to trigger particular changes. Propositions do not predict change. These propositions are called ‘theories of change’. At TradeMark Africa (TMA), the theory of change is synonymous with strategy. There are several layers to TMA’s theory of change. The logic or theories can be viewed as a hierarchy where the inter-relations between the different theories link up across TMA’s areas of work.
This section outlines TradeMark Africa’s understanding of the bigger picture and its areas of focus.

TMA’s objective is to contribute to sustainable, inclusive prosperity in Africa through increased sustainable and inclusive trade flows.

If African nations are more competitive globally, through improved market access and enhanced business competitiveness, and trade barriers are reduced within the continent, then trade will increase.

If trade increases, then this will contribute to increasing economic growth that has good potential to reduce poverty.

At the same time, policies that reallocate resources towards more productive sectors, along with pro-poor investments, will increase prosperity and reduce poverty. TMA builds on effective approaches that have been proven to deliver sustainable trade in Africa, and deploys new technologies and innovations in responding to the shifts in the major development challenges ahead. We take a systemic approach to achieve sustainable results across trade corridors, while focusing on core value chains that are best able to drive up export values and create jobs and incomes.

Focus Areas