The promotion of good governance in all its aspects remains a major concern of the Government of Burundi. It is for this reason that since 2005, efforts are being made visible on the consolidation of peace and democracy, human rights, good governance, reconciliation, sine qua non conditions for the realization of other initiatives in social and economic development matters. It is thanks to these achievements that the Burundian people of Burundi have been able to focus on economic activities in all in various sectors.

Tax issues are high on the agenda of African governments. While the commitment to counter deleterious international tax scheming is laudable, in many of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa a similar – and arguably even more imperative – campaign is being waged to achieve efficient collection and administration of domestic tax revenues.

Uganda is set to receive a whopping US $229.5m funds for the construction of phase one of Kampala- Jinja express project, following...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Women in Cross Border Trade- Improving the business environment" implementor="Women ‘associations and cooperatives, technical consultants, Governors of various provinces within the Greater Imbo region, relevant Government Ministries" target_group="Women in cross border trade" project_value="US$ 500,000" implementation_period="2018-2020" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Women cross border traders in Burundi work individually and not as co-operatives. They lack understanding on the benefits of establishing joint businesses and working together as a team.  The temporary closure of some borders has affected the livelihoods of these women traders as they now cross the border via rivers which further raises safety concerns. Transportation of vegetables through the river also leads to spoilage and therefore the traders are unable to fetch high prices. Their income based on price differences in sales of items net of daily transportation costs is very minimal for day-to-day survival. Women traders do not produce any products or add value to it. They are mere ‘intermediaries’ with lack of a broader vision to earn higher incomes. In addition, many traders are exposed to beatings, verbal insults, stripping, sexual harassment and even rape. This gender-based violence, although more prevalent in the DRC, is perpetrated on both sides of the border in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. Women traders report harassment from government officials, and at times from buyers, which cause delays and income losses and much of it go unreported. Informal cross border traders, particularly women, lack strong institutions that would advocate their rights and demand for inclusion in the expanding trade in the region. What:...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Search for Common Ground (Phase II)" implementor="Search for Common Ground" target_group="Small traders and Border officials" project_value="US$ 200,000" implementation_period="2013 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Burundi, as other East African economies, has a large informal trade sector, non-integrated with the formal economy and large business. Informal trade across borders is most often important to rural livelihoods, managed by individuals with a daily profit of under $50 per day. A 2009 study by the African Trade Policy Centre shows that informal cross border traders across the region do not use available formal systems/structures for most of their transactions. This makes it difficult for regional trade policy initiatives such as those under the EAC and its Customs Union Protocol to have any significant impact on this informal trade. The traders show little evidence of knowledge regarding the EAC Customs Protocol and even less motivation to use it to facilitate trading activities. What: The objective of this project is to improve the relationships between small traders and border officials. How: Trade Mark East Africa will provide support to Search for Common Ground (SFCG) to implement a second phase of the project. Contact: Alice Nibitanga, Email: alice.nibitanga@trademarkea.com Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42316" image_2="42830"]Improved relationships between small traders and border officials which contribute to improved trade climate & governance in Burundi and around the EAC community.[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="project-insight"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of...