Why this project?

Freight and transport costs in East Africa are among the highest in the world, with an estimation of them being at 50% higher per kilometer compared to Europe and the USA. These costs erode the competitiveness of goods exported by East African countries, raise the cost of living and put a brake on development activities in the region. For East African landlocked countries, transport costs can be as high as 75% of the value of exports. In the end, it is the producers or a business that suffers the consequences of high transport costs and inefficiencies.

The World Bank estimates that high transit costs reduce growth rates by up to 1% per annum and account for 40% of the higher consumer prices paid across the region of more than 250 million people. The institution also posits that transit times have the most significant effect on exports. Yet, studies further estimate that a reduction of one day in transit times leads to a 7% increase in export

Trade is growing up to 8% per annum across the region and economic growth is picking up. However, this growth will be constrained if the transport and logistics sector remains inefficient. Therefore, reducing the cost and time of transport and logistics should be a priority. Streamlining this sector will contribute to increasing trade, enable exports, contribute to faster economic growth and stimulate creation of new jobs.

What:

TMAs aims to reduce transport time along the main East Africa transport corridors by 15% by 2016. To achieve this, TMA has adopted a mixed approach including infrastructure and software development support that will reduce or eliminate bottlenecks along the corridors.

TMA established the LIFT Challenge fund, targeting innovators in the private and public sector to develop and test new ideas that could reduce the cost and time of transport and logistics in the East Africa region. LIFT is a competitive financing facility that co-invests with successful innovators in projects that have the potential to offer logistics solutions, but that may be too risky to undertake. LIFT reimburses Grant Award winners against expenditures incurred. The Fund is open to businesses throughout the world that are either currently operating, or will operate, in the EAC.

Transport networks for imported and exported goods are limited primarily to road freight. Thus, Investment in intermodal transport solutions incorporating road, rail and waterway freight offer substantial opportunities to reduce logistics costs, improve efficiencies and create new east/west corridors to enhance local trade.

Contact:

Allan Ngugi , Email: allan.ngugi@trademarkea.com

Website: www.lift-fund.com

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