[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Kalundu Port Infrastructure Upgrade" project_value="US $ 3,335,000" implementation_period="(Start date) - (Expected end date)March 2017 - December 2022" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Kalundu Port is the main entry point for trade into the r Kivus’s region. The Port is threatened by sedimentation at the port entrance. The sand bank has raised to the point where vessels accessing the port run a high risk of grounding. This also means that larger ships cannot access the port. The removal of the sand bank through dredging at the port is therefore necessary for its continued ability to service larger vessels. Furthermore, the project will undertake to modernise ageing infrastructure (warehouses, pavement, fencing etc.). Responsibility Center : 42_DRC Project approval summary: 1. PAR approval date: June 2016 PAR number: DRC CBT PAR 2. PAR approval authority: Board NB/ If the project is above $250,000 a PAR must be submitted for approval[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element="yes" el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42084" image_2="42057"]1. Reduced barriers to trade in selected sub-sectors in Burundi (Fisheries, palm products and fruits) and greater inclusion of women in trade. 2. Improved export capabilities in fisheries, palm and fruits sub-sectors[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element="yes"][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 livestock" slide_2="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_3="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock"][single_project_content]Key outputs include; Burundi NMC National Coordinator is recruited [/single_project_content][single_project_content]Burundi NMC National Strategy is developed and validated [/single_project_content][single_project_content]Burundi National Monitoring Committee (NMC) for Non-Tariff Barriers...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Ruzizi 2 OSBP Infrastructure Upgrade" project_value="US $ 5,600,000" implementation_period="(Start date) - (Expected end date) September 2018 - December 2022" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Ruzizi 2 border post carries most of the heavy trucks traffic between Rwanda and DRC, particularly to Bukavu. At Ruzizi 2 smaller-scale traders are underserved and prefer to use Ruzizi premier. Border offices on both sides of the border and the bridge will be upgraded. The offices will be supplied with water, power and appropriate office furniture. The current cross border market facility will be upgraded on the Bukavu side of the border to accommodate traders’ needs. This simple structure will facilitate commerce at the border post. Currently many traders are forced to sell on the side of the road as existing infrastructure is full. The road connecting the border post to the city of Bukavu is in a poor condition and in need of upgrade to reduce the damage to vehicles, as well as time and cost of moving goods along a relatively short distance. Under this programme the section of road that feeds in Ruzizi 2 border post (approximately 2.7km long each), will be upgraded including all necessary earthworks drainage. For safety reasons the road will also be fitted with electrical lighting. The bridge at Ruzizi 2 will also be rehabilitated. Responsibility Center : 42_DRC Project approval summary: 1. PAR approval date: June 2016 PAR number: DRC CBT PAR 2. PAR approval authority: Board NB/ If the project is above $250,000 a PAR must...

Mahagi, situated on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), serves as a vital cross-border trade hub with Uganda, where women predominantly engage in small-scale trading activities. Despite their crucial role, these women often operate under challenging circumstances marked by informality, insecurity, and limited access to protection, information, and fundamental rights. Recognizing these difficulties, TradeMark Africa (TMA), in collaboration with the DRC government and with funding from UK International Development, implemented a targeted training program at the Mahagi One Stop Border Post (OSBP). This week-long initiative brought together both women traders and border officials to address the systemic and practical obstacles hindering women's full participation in cross-border trade. The training adopted a dual approach. Women traders received education on their rights, obligations, and available mechanisms for reporting misconduct. Simultaneously, public officials underwent sensitization on their responsibilities under national and subregional gender frameworks. Delivered through five focused modules, the sessions covered crucial topics such as gender awareness, relevant legal instruments, advocacy strategies, and the monitoring of gender-responsive trade systems. This initiative fostered a significant and rare dialogue between regulators and traders, underscoring the effectiveness of collaboratively developing solutions to dismantle entrenched mistrust. A key aspect of the initiative was the creation of a platform for structured dialogue between traders and border officials, two groups whose interactions are often strained. By facilitating joint learning and promoting mutual understanding, the training contributed to rebuilding trust and establishing a foundation for more responsive and inclusive border governance. However, security remains a...

TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) on 18 March 2025 convened a steering committee meeting in Nairobi to review ongoing trade facilitation projects in the country. A major focus of the discussions included the integration of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), which spans from Mombasa to Mahagi border, with the DRC’s national Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), covering Mahagi to the country’s hinterland and beyond its border in the central Africa region. The meeting was led by TMA’s Deputy CEO, Allen Asiimwe, and Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Anthe Vrijlandt, alongside DGDA’s Assistant Deputy Director, Mabaya Jean Paul, who represented the Director General. If all goes according to plan, the integration of RECTS and ECTS will represent a major step in the DRC’s trade modernisation efforts and its deeper integration into the East African Community (EAC). The RECTS system enhances cargo security along the Northern Corridor, covering trade routes from the Port of Mombasa through Uganda, Rwanda, and into the DRC. By minimising delays, it improves truck turnaround times and lowers business costs. The DRC’s national ECTS, developed and adopted following a successful pilot phase in 2019, ensures that transit goods reach their intended destinations within central Africa. This prevents cargo diversion to unauthorised locations and combats customs duty and import tax evasion. The system uses electronic trackers affixed to containers upon entry into the DRC, which are then removed upon exit, providing real-time visibility of cargo...

Nairobi, 8 February: The Government of the Netherlands, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a significant boost to global trade development, has announced a $63 million funding to TradeMark Africa, a leading aid-for-trade organisation. This strategic investment will fuel TradeMark Africa's Strategy 3, covering the period till 2030, aimed at driving green, sustainable economic growth, fostering innovative trade practices, and promoting inclusive trade across Africa. This move underscores the Netherlands' commitment to enhancing economic opportunities, job creation and facilitating sustainable trade throughout the continent. Marchel Gerrmann, Ambassador for Business and Development Cooperation at Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “TradeMark Africa will significantly contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous trade landscape for the African continent, benefitting both African and Dutch businesses." The Netherlands’ contribution will be invested in strengthening trade systems so that they benefit local exporters, foster economic growth, and create sustainable livelihoods across diverse sectors. This investment will be instrumental in improving market access for local products at the global level, in addition to bolstering initiatives that drive innovation, research, and development within the African market, enhancing competitiveness and green trading practices. As part of its Africa Strategy, the Netherlands contributes towards the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is expected to boost intra-African trade over 30% by 2045 and is projected to provide an average extra 2.7% GDP boost across the continent. The AfCFTA could lift 30 million Africans out of poverty by 2035, offering market opportunities to both African...

Members of European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, on November 3, 2022, held talks with teams from TradeMark East Africa, Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and regional private sector representatives on investment opportunities, trade relations and barriers. Led by committee chair, Bernd Lange, the team sought to understand key concerns around the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Kenya and the EU and how trading between the two partners can be more mutually beneficial. Mr. Lange also highlighted the need to reflect on a regional perspective in the negotiations with Kenya, which is no longer categorised as a least developed country (LDC) as its East African Community (EAC) counterparts. While the country’s exports still benefit from preferential treatment, Kenyan exporters face stringent requirements on labelling, rules of origin and phytosanitary standards, according to the State Department of Trade. In the last half a decade, Kenya has been a net buyer of commodities from the EU, with imports hitting US$1.9 billion in 2019, less than half of the US$916 million Kenya exported to the EU, according to the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). Kenya exports mostly horticultural products. With favourable trade conditions and increased efficiencies in the production and supply chains, Kenya can significantly scale up its share of exports of cut flowers, vegetables, macadamia, avocados, sweet potatoes, pineapples, coffee, and apparel, in response to burgeoning demand in the EU. The delegation also heard of how Kenya and East Africa are positioned to tap into the immense potential of the African Continental Free Trade...

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the globe and disrupted the lives of billions of people in every corner of the world. Eastern Africa has not been left unscathed. The pandemic has affected trade and economic activity in a fundamental way. Whereas many have weighed the impact of COVID-19 on health terms, we in trade facilitation have seen firsthand how debilitating its impact has been to global trade, disrupting supply chains across the globe. This knowledge informed our quick adaptation, and helped to offset major trade disruptions experienced in the Eastern, Southern and Horn of Africa Region. The impact of COVID-19 hit TMA closer home. Cuts to donor funding caused by COVID-19 inflicted economic recession in donor countries necessitated a human resource restructuring process, and scaling down of programming. Nevertheless, TMA was resilient and delivered strong impact. I am honoured to mention a few of the interventions and associated impacts achieved in the last year, as I welcome you to read about many more in this annual report. SAFE TRADE Amongst the quick counter and cushioning measures we implemented were the Safe Trade Emergency Facility Programme (Safe Trade), a multi-donor funded and multi- stakeholder programme that enabled governments and communities to adopt short- to medium-term measures for safe continuity of trade. The innovation driving Safe Trade won an award during the Paris Peace Forum due to its focus on the immediate threat posed by the pandemic, and post- COVID-19 recovery that empowered communities to bounce back better. Recovery efforts have also...