Uganda, along with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, is a member of the East African Community (EAC). The EAC has established a Customs Union, and a Common Market. It is due to establish a Monetary Union, and is ultimately moving towards Political Federation. This report does a brief overview of the different initiatives within the program and their impacts.

Export growth is a key driver of economic growth (Brenton and Newfarmer 2007) and hence understanding export competitiveness is important so as to inform appropriate policy measures that can harness a country’s economic potential. The correct design of interventions to enhance trade competitiveness requires forming an understanding of the type of products exported and the nature of the challenges that the East Africa Community (EAC) faces in international markets. This report describes the nature and evolution of trade between the EAC and the world during the last 15 years. This is a necessary step in order to identify where the main competitiveness constraints lie; where new opportunities are being created; and the potential areas of intervention.

Although there has been rapid progress towards integration of the East African Community (EAC), our research shows that there are still significant constraints to the implementation of the Customs Union (CU) and that the trade impacts associated with this process so far are small. The process of regional integration is important for the economic development of this region so it is imperative to redress the current barriers that exist in establishing the CU and common market (CM). Arguably, the small trade impacts found can be attributed to non-tariff barriers (NTBs), the small size of these economies and the deep specialization in primary commodities in trade with the rest of the world. This briefing uses evidence from research on the regional integration process of the EAC commissioned by TradeMark Africa and proposes some priority areas for policy intervention to address these challenges.

This report provides a diagnostic study of the current conditions and performance at the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, stressing capacity constraints and low productivity. An integration program is proposed as a short-term solution to alleviate such capacity constraints; by transferring cargo handling at the marine terminals container yards to near port Inland Container Depots (ICDs). Both ports have master plans including long-term development projects, including new container terminals, which would ease capacity constraints and increase berth productivity considerably. However, the issues around congestion at these ports can cause significant obstacles to port operations until these projects are completed, with new terminals expected to be commissioned at least 3 – 5 years or 2013 - 2015. The ICD Integration Program could address these issues effectively, ensuring smooth operations at these ports in the interim.

The One Stop Border Post concept is gaining in popularity among government agencies and the private sector in East Africa especially since its implementation impacts positively on the region. As a sub set of the larger, but less well known Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept, One Stop Border Posts are being implemented in well over 50 border crossings in Africa. TradeMark Africa is funding the implementation of the OSBP concept at Taveta and Busia in Kenya; Busia, Mutukula, Mirama Hills and Elegu in Uganda; Mutukula, Holili, Tunduma and Kabanga in Tanzania; Kobero in Burundi and at Kagitumba in Rwanda. TradeMark Africa’s approach involves direct investment in infrastructure, both in buildings and civil works at the border posts listed above.

The Economic Development in Africa Report 2013, subtitled Intra-African Trade: Unlocking Private Sector Dynamism, focuses on how to strengthen the private sector to boost intra-African trade. It argues that for African countries to reap developmental gains from intra-African trade and regional integration, they will need to place the building of productive capacities and domestic entrepreneurship at the heart of the policy agenda for boosting intraregional trade.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Development of the Regional Technical Regulations Framework for Facilitating Cross Border Trade in Food and Cosmetic Products" implementor="East African Community (EAC) Secretariat" target_group="National Standards Bodies (NSBs), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Competent Authorities, and affiliate regulatory authorities, manufacturers and cross border businesses." project_value="US$ 100,000" implementation_period="July 2018 – June 2022" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="https://www.trademarkafrica.com/download/63428/"]Development of the regional technical regulations framework for food and cosmetics is responding to challenges experienced by manufacturers/producers and cross border businesses in meeting conformity requirements and accessing their preferred markets in a timely and cost-effective manner. These challenges are caused by the requirements affecting product characteristics or their related conformity processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions and costs, for which compliance is mandatory. Upon adoption, implementation of the framework will see reduced times and costs for compliance, resulting from multiple requirements across EAC Partner States. The framework will also promote cooperation among regional regulatory authorities as well as efficiencies in quality infrastructure investments and resource management. Progress: Following its approval and validation by the East African Standards Committee (EASC), the adopted regional technical regulations framework for facilitating cross border trade in food and cosmetic products documented major success with the development of harmonized criteria for registration, approval and verification of processed and pre-packaged foods, during a taskforce meeting held September 30 2020. Drafting of these criteria was supported by EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) with focus on registration, approval, and verification of processed and pre-packaged foods, which was submitted to the taskforce...

This paper explores the extent to which inefficient border posts and checkpoints in many African countries are contributing to low intra-regional trade activity. The paper found that improving and harmonizing customs procedures as well as addressing corruption and other illicit practices that take place at checkpoints can significantly reduce the cost of trade and increase government revenues.