The goal of TradeMark Africa’s gender policy is to ensure that men and women, boys and girls equally benefit from its interventions designed to promote East African integration. The policy builds upon the EAC Treaty’s recognition that “gender equality… is a fundamental principles that shall govern the achievement of the objectives of the Community by the Partner States” (Art 5). TradeMark Africa will work within the broader EAC Gender and Community Development Framework that prioritizes equitable access of men, women, boys and girls to trade and integration opportunities.

This report provides an overview of progress and challenges across the TradeMark Africa (TMA) portfolio for the first quarter of the 2013/14 year. It provides more information on specific programmes, deepening accountability to TradeMark Africa’s stakeholders.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Increased Organizational Effectiveness: Provision of Video Conferencing equipment" implementor="East African Community Secretariat" target_group="East African Community" project_value="3.8 M" implementation_period="2012 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]One of the major challenges faced by the Secretariat is the ability to communicate timely and effectively. This impinges on the quality of decisions made and the timeliness of the decision making process. Moreover, a large percentage of the EAC Secretariat budget cost of is associated with travel and transport across the Partner State in attending various meetings related to the development of the East African Region. What: As part of a broad institutional reform programme that is on-going, and particularly as part of the Secretary General’s drive to realise cost-efficiency gains in communication and decision-making, the Council approved the acquisition and installation of a Video Conferencing System (VCS) for the Community. It is expected that the system will not only improve efficiency in communication and decision-making, but it will also help the Secretariat realise significant savings in cost and time. Key outputs include:  Installation and operationalization of VC equipment at EAC Secretariat and Partner States;  Adoption of procedures and guidelines for management of the use of VC System; How: TMA will provide financial and technical assistance to support procurement, installation and operationalization of VC equipment at the EAC Secretariat and Partner States. Contact: Jason Kapkirwork, Email: Jason.kapkirwork@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="42618" image_2="42620"]Improved communication to enhance timely and effective decision making process through provision...

The objective of this paper is to contribute to the few studies on EAMU by assessing the viability of the EAC common currency and by considering how best to bring it about.

The Africa Competitiveness Report 2013, the fourth report jointly published by our organizations, comes out at a time when international interest in Africa is surging and the continent is seen both as an investment destination of choice and as a region marked by greater prosperity and development.

Q4 of 2012 saw further strong progress in TradeMark Africa’s programme. This was corroborated by The Annual Review of the organisation carried out on behalf of its donors. The review was commissioned by Denmark and the UK, and implemented by a consulting team over a ten-day period at the end of October and beginning of November.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="East Africa standards platform" implementor="East African Business Council (EABC)" target_group="Importers and exporters, Manufacturers" project_value="US$ 320,412" implementation_period="2012 - 2014" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]A political economy study by TMA in 2006 found that policy-making in the EAC has failed effectively to engage the public in open debate. Whilst the EAC Treaty requires the involvement of PSOs and CSOs, it is unclear on entry points and frameworks for engagement. The key association representing the private sector at regional level is the East African Business Council with an embryonic East Africa CSO Forum seeking to represent civil society across the region. These institutions however are weak, lack long-term or comprehensive support, and are criticised for failing adequately to represent their constituencies. What: This project will lobby for increased harmonisation of priority standards. How: TMA will provide the required technical and financial assistance to SID to conduct the research. Contact: Allan Ngugi, Program Manager, Business Competitiveness allan.ngugi@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="42540" image_2="42538"]EAC partner states implement harmonised priority standards; reduction in the cost of compliance with standards within the EAC; bureau of standards and producers improve their understanding of standards and requirements. Together the results lead to a reduction in the cost and time of doing business in the EAC region.[/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 livestock" slide_2="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_3="info...

This is the first incarnation of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation’s report on the state of civil society. In line with our core mission as an alliance that aims to amplify the voice of ordinary citizens, our inaugural report features five thematic chapters with salient contributions from an array of civil society constituents and 30 country profiles produced together with CIVICUS partners.

In many parts of the world in recent years, Doing Business data shows that there has been remarkable progress in removing some of the biggest bureaucratic obstacles to private sector activity. Yet small and medium-size enterprises still are subject to burdensome regulations and vague rules that are unevenly applied and that impose inefficiencies on the enterprise sector. This curtails the overall competitiveness of economies and their potential for creating jobs.