TradeMark Africa
Growing Prosperity Through Trade

TradeMark Africa

The Update – April 2022 Edition
April 13, 2022

The Update – April 2022 Edition

HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT WE’RE UP TO : ISSUE NO.10/APR 2022

THE ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021

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This year’s report features projects that amplify the relevance of our past and planned work with our partners in the current environment; towards supporting economies to ”bounce back better” from the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. With the African Continental Free Trade Area in effect, we worked with various countries to craft strategies that will enable them leverage on opportunities presented by these new markets.

IMPROVED STANDARDS

STANDARDS FOR EFFICIENT TRADE

The Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS) and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) signed a financing agreement worth TZS 1 billion (US $430,800) aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness of ZBS in the development and implementation of standards in Zanzibar. The funding will support ZBS to tackle challenges that cause delays in conducting and issuing testing results for products.

TANZANIA REAPS THE FRUIT OF DIGITISATION

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TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)’s support to Tanzania’s Mercantile Exchange (TMX) started in 2019, with the aim of automating the TMX system thus enabling on line trading of key agricultural crops. This way, farmers can access reasonable prices for specified commodities, based on principles of fair competition, transparency, and quality of their produce. The project was funded by United Kingdom’s Agency for International Development, Ireland and Norway through TMEA.

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NORTHERN CORRIDOR: A TRUCKER’S STORY

Read about Faith’s experience as a truck driver plying the Northern Corridor, a gateway and artery to an extensive economic hinterland stretching across Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. Find out more about how TMEA has facilitated Mombasa port improvement with an investment of approx. US$110Million over a period of 10 years.

BREWING TEA TRADE IN ONE CLICK

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East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) announced the automation of the Mombasa Tea Auction by unveiling the Integrated Tea Trading System (iTTS).  The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) -through TradeMark East Africa- funded the USD 2Million digital platform. iTTS is expected to shorten the pre-auction, auction and post-auction stages; reduce the tea trading cycle by about 65 per cent and, fast track payments to farmers.

AUTOMATION FOR BETTER POLICIES

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The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), launched the Central Corridor Transport Observatory (CCTO), a system that provides reliable and timely information to policy makers in the region, facilitating formulation of policies that lead to better transit, trade facilitation and cooperation between CCTTFA Member States. The system was developed by CCTTFA with support from TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and funding from Denmark, Ireland, Norway, UKAID and USAID.

CONVENIENT SERVICES=EFFICIENT TRADE

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The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), launched the Ethiopian Chamber Digital Service (ECDS), a digital system that enables the chamber to provide its services online to its members, the business community and the public at large. Irish Aid Ethiopia through TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) funded the development of ECDS; with the support channeled to supply the ICT infrastructure and software development.