Kenya’s exports of fresh fruits and vegetables continue to face a host of trade barriers that undermine their competitiveness in major international markets, according to a new study. Commissioned as part of the European Union-funded Business Environment Enhancement and Export Promotion (BEEEP) Programme that is implemented by TradeMark Africa, the report identifies both tariff and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that persistently affect the country’s avocado, mango, and vegetable exports. The study, which covered the period from 2018 to 2022, evaluates the performance of 11 main export categories comprising avocados, mangoes, and nine types of vegetables, which are classified using the internationally recognised Harmonised System (HS) at the 6-digit level. This approach allowed researchers to trace product flows, map leading export destinations, and isolate specific market access challenges encountered by Kenyan producers and exporters. One of the major sticking points is the inconsistent application of tariffs, particularly Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates, across different markets. While countries with preferential trade agreements, such as the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, apply lower duties, others continue to impose standard MFN rates. These disparities increase the landed cost of Kenyan produce and erode its price advantage on the global stage. Beyond tariffs, the study highlights an array of NTBs that act as hidden obstacles to trade. These include stringent sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, varying labelling standards, and bureaucratic inefficiencies that delay shipments or deny market entry altogether. Such barriers, as defined by the World Trade Organization, are non-tariff measures that distort trade either by raising prices...

LONDON. 7 July 2025 — In a world racing toward regionalism, the Africa integration story often gets obscured by its own complexity. Yet last week in London, a compelling narrative emerged — one of deliberate transformation, driven not only by policy frameworks but by the quiet, technical work of institutions that understand trade from the ground up. TradeMark Africa’s (TMA) Board Chair and former Ethiopian Prime Minister, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, led a high-level mission to the United Kingdom last week, carrying a message of urgency and opportunity. With TMA CEO Dave Beer, H.E. Desalegn’s engagements at the Africa Debate 2025, bilateral talks with UK ministers, and a landmark parliamentary roundtable at the Labour African Network made one point clear: for Africa to grow, it must grow together. “A landmark decision by African leaders was the establishment of the Africa Free Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” said Hailemariam during the opening panel at Africa Debate 2025. “The AfCFTA ushered alignment, but now we need to make the trade corridors work — not just for the movement of goods, but for the flow of value, investment, and opportunity across borders.” The event’s focus — unlocking regional value chains — is at the centre of Africa’s industrial and economic future. Alongside AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa) Rt. Hon. Lord Collins of Highbury, and Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment H.E. Jumoke Oduwole, Hailemariam spotlighted the region’s challenges and opportunities. Among them: fragmented policies, underutilised infrastructure, and...

Par Allen Asiimwe, Directeur général adjoint et Responsable des programmes, TradeMark Africa Lors de la conférence GTR Afrique de l'Est 2025 qui s'est tenue cette année à Nairobi, j'ai participé à une table ronde opportune sur le thème "Croissance du commerce et investissements dans les infrastructures : L'opportunité pour l'Afrique de l'Est de prospérer dans le nouvel ordre mondial". Cette conversation n'aurait pas pu avoir lieu à un moment plus critique. L'économie mondiale est en transition. Les hypothèses commerciales de longue date sont en train d'être redéfinies et les règles traditionnelles d'engagement sont en train de changer. Rien qu'en 2023, les pays du G20 ont introduit plus de 1 160 nouvelles restrictions commerciales (Global Trade Alert, 2023). Les réglementations liées au climat redessinent l'accès aux marchés internationaux. L'aide publique au développement diminue et le financement multilatéral de la lutte contre le changement climatique reste incertain. Les régimes tarifaires sont de plus en plus fragmentés et politisés. Ces évolutions exigent de repenser fondamentalement la manière dont l'Afrique se positionne dans l'ordre économique mondial. Pour l'Afrique de l'Est, cette remise à zéro mondiale n'est pas une menace, mais une opportunité catalytique de réimaginer le commerce. Selon les Nations unies pour le commerce et le développement, bien que la région ne contribue qu'à deux ou trois pour cent du commerce mondial, elle est exposée de manière disproportionnée aux chocs mondiaux. Des changements tarifaires aux impacts climatiques négatifs, l'Afrique de l'Est est confrontée à des vulnérabilités importantes. Toutefois, ces pressions incitent également la région...

Par Anataria Uwamariya En Afrique de l'Est, la collaboration entre les acteurs des secteurs public et privé s'avère être une force puissante pour façonner un développement économique inclusif. Alors que les partenariats public-privé (PPP) traditionnels sont souvent associés au financement des infrastructures, une forme de collaboration plus discrète et plus transformatrice est en train de se mettre en place, ancrée dans un objectif commun, un bénéfice mutuel et une croissance inclusive. Alors que les gouvernements s'efforcent de créer des environnements favorables au commerce et à l'investissement, le secteur privé apporte l'innovation, l'agilité et une connaissance approfondie du marché. Lorsque ces forces sont alignées, elles débloquent des opportunités qu'aucun des deux ne pourrait atteindre seul. À TradeMark Africa (TMA), la collaboration public-privé est au cœur de notre approche. La plateforme de commerce en ligne de la Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) change également la donne. Elle aide les agriculteurs, les négociants et les exportateurs tanzaniens à accéder aux marchés nationaux et mondiaux en garantissant des prix équitables pour les produits de base. La plateforme permet aux agriculteurs de prendre des décisions éclairées sur la base des tendances des prix en temps réel et des prévisions. En 2022, TMX a étendu son système de négociation en ligne au cacao et au café. De juillet 2022 à juin 2023, plus d'un million de kilogrammes de cacao ont été échangés, rapportant aux agriculteurs environ 1,9 million de dollars (245 millions de shillings). Les prix du cacao ont augmenté de 34 % par rapport à l'année...

Le 19 juin 2025, lors de la 14e réunion ordinaire du Conseil des ministres inter-États de l'Agence de facilitation du transport en transit du corridor central, qui s'est tenue le 18 juin 2025 à Dar es Salaam, en Tanzanie, la Zambie a réaffirmé son engagement en faveur du développement et de l'intégration du transport régional. Conduite par le Ministre des Transports et de la Logistique, M. Museba Frank Tayali, la délégation zambienne a présenté les principales initiatives nationales alignées sur les objectifs plus larges du Corridor Central. Depuis qu'elle a rejoint le Corridor central, la Zambie a entrepris des efforts considérables pour moderniser ses systèmes de transport, considérant l'infrastructure comme la pierre angulaire de la croissance économique et de la connectivité régionale. Au cours de la réunion, le pays a fourni une mise à jour détaillée de l'état d'avancement de plusieurs projets stratégiques, y compris la collaboration avec le secrétariat du corridor pour finaliser un protocole d'accord sur l'échange de données entre l'autorité fiscale zambienne et le secrétariat. La Zambie a également fait des progrès dans le cadre du mécanisme de prestation de services AUDA-NEPAD pour la préparation précoce de projets concernant le port de Mpulungu. Cela comprend des évaluations techniques et de marché pour le mouvement des marchandises entre la Zambie, la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et d'autres pays bordant le lac Tanganyika. Des plans sont en cours pour mettre à jour l'aménagement du port et fournir des recommandations pour une transformation portuaire verte, ainsi que des évaluations...

At the 14th Ordinary Meeting of the Inter-State Council of Ministers for the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, held on 18 June 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to regional transport development and integration. Led by Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali, the Zambian delegation outlined key national initiatives aligned with the broader goals of the Central Corridor. Since joining the Central Corridor, Zambia has undertaken extensive efforts to modernise its transport systems, viewing infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic growth and regional connectivity. During the meeting, the country provided a detailed progress update on several strategic projects, including collaboration with the Corridor Secretariat to finalise a Data Exchange Memorandum of Understanding between the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Secretariat. Zambia has also made strides under the AUDA-NEPAD Service Delivery Mechanism for early project preparation concerning Mpulungu Port. This includes technical and market assessments for cargo movement between Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and other countries bordering Lake Tanganyika. Plans are in motion to update the harbour layout and provide recommendations for a green port transformation, alongside safety evaluations for navigation on the lake. Border infrastructure improvements remain a high priority. The Nakonde/Tunduma One Stop Border Post is undergoing significant upgrades. The first phase, supported by TradeMark Africa, is over 70% complete, focusing on a truck scanner, access roads, and ICT equipment. The second phase, Lot 2, funded through the World Bank’s TRACER Project, is in the procurement stage and...

In East Africa, collaboration between public and private sector actors is proving to be a powerful force in shaping inclusive economic development.While traditional Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are often associated with infrastructure financing, a quieter, more transformative form of collaboration is unfolding—one rooted in shared purpose, mutual benefit, and inclusive growth.As governments work to create enabling environments for trade and investment, the private sector brings innovation, agility, and deep market understanding. When these forces are aligned, they unlock opportunities neither could achieve alone. At TradeMark Africa (TMA), public-private collaboration is at the heart of our approach.We work with national and local governments, business associations, women’s groups, and regional institutions to co-create solutions that reduce trade barriers, promote inclusion, and drive sustainability. In Kenya, for instance, our collaboration with players in the horticulture sector resulted in the launch of the Sauti Trade and Market Information online platform.The platform has connected more than 1,000 Kenyan farmers and traders to export markets. It provides some 428 producers and traders with valuable market insights, helping them secure financing, improve their ability to meet market quality standards, and increase incomes.The Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) online trading platform is a game-changer too. It helps Tanzanian farmers, traders, and exporters access domestic and global markets by ensuring fair commodity prices. The platform allows farmers to make informed decisions based on real-time and forecast price trends. In 2022, TMX expanded its online trading system to include cocoa and coffee. From July 2022 to June 2023, over 1 million kilograms...

At this year’s GTR East Africa 2025 Conference in Nairobi, I participated in a timely panel discussion under the theme “Trade Growth and Infrastructure Investment: East Africa’s Opportunity to Thrive in the New World Order.” The conversation could not have come at a more critical moment. The global economy is in transition. Long-standing trade assumptions are being redefined, and traditional rules of engagement are shifting. In 2023 alone, G20 nations introduced more than 1,160 new trade restrictions (Global Trade Alert, 2023).Climate-linked regulations are reshaping access to international markets. Official development assistance is declining, and multilateral climate finance remains uncertain. Tariff regimes are increasingly fragmented and politicised.These developments demand a fundamental rethinking of how Africa positions itself within the global economic order. For East Africa, this global reset presents not a threat, but a catalytic opportunity to reimagine trade. According to the UN Trade and Development, although the region contributes only two to three percent of global trade, it is disproportionately exposed to global shocks. From tariff changes to adverse climate impacts, East Africa faces significant vulnerabilities.However, these pressures are also prompting the region to pursue more resilient, agile, and self-determined trade systems.Africa must now move decisively. Business as usual is no longer tenable. Digitisation and automation have transformed global trade.Tightening regulations, shifting funding models, and climate imperatives have rendered sustainability and compliance essential. European Union regulations on labour standards, deforestation, and carbon emissions are compelling African producers to meet new thresholds or risk exclusion from essential global markets. These are...

During a joint mission at the Noé–Elubo border on 12 June 2025 Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have taken a significant step toward improving cross-border trade efficiency with the validation of a major study on Coordinated Border Management (CBM). This occurred during a joint mission held at the Noé–Elubo border on 12 June 2025. The high-level engagement brought together officials from Côte d'Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, TradeMark Africa (TMA), and several regional and international development partners. They reviewed findings from the CBM study, which proposes a raft of reforms to enhance the movement of goods and people between the two countries. Commissioned by TradeMark Africa, the study supports broader regional efforts to reduce trade costs and improve logistics. These improvements will facilitate the storage, aggregation, and processing of cereals for export. The study’s recommendations centre on boosting inter-agency coordination, digitising border processes, and simplifying customs procedures at the borders. The mission featured two components: a technical validation workshop, where stakeholders reviewed and endorsed the study’s proposals, and field visits to the Noé and Elubo border posts. These visits allowed participants to assess the quality of the infrastructure, operational challenges, and border flow dynamics, while identifying opportunities for harmonisation across both sides of the border. An aerial view of Elubo border area. “Integrated border management is not a choice but a necessity if we are to realise the goals of the AfCFTA and support secure, inclusive, and competitive trade,” said Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Director General of Foreign Trade at the...

TradeMark Africa (TMA) officially handed over the newly constructed Rusizi II One Stop Border Post (OSBP) to the Government of Rwanda on 5 June 2025. This significant event paves the way for faster and more efficient cross-border trade and transit between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The handover ceremony was led by Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Abimana Fidele, marking the completion of the infrastructure works ahead of the facility’s official commissioning. The project is anticipated to significantly reduce border crossing times and trade costs, thereby improving regional connectivity and fostering economic resilience within the Great Lakes region. The OSBP features comprehensive facilities designed to accommodate various border officials, including customs and immigration personnel. It also includes a quarantine facility and advanced e-gate systems. These e-gates are specifically designed to expedite processing for travellers using passports, laissez-passer, or national identity cards. Furthermore, the Rusizi II OSBP is equipped to enhance public health controls and promote climate resilience. It also specifically addresses the needs of informal and small-scale traders, with a particular focus on women. This support includes business development training, market linkages, and improved inspection facilities, ensuring a more inclusive trading environment. TMA’s Country Director for Rwanda highlighted the expected impact of the facility, stating, "One Stop Border Posts have been shown to reduce border crossing times by an average of 70%. We expect Rusizi II to the desired results, benefiting businesses, traders, and communities across the region." Permanent Secretary Abimana echoed this sentiment,...