[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Nimule OSBP IBM" implementor="The government of the Republic of Uganda and the government of South Sudan" target_group="Importers and exporters in East Africa" project_value="US$ 1,979.980" implementation_period="2013 - 2018" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Elegu/Nimule border crossing is currently characterised by excessive documentation requirements which involves multiple parties and different types of documents and data elements with avoidable repetitions. It is estimated that 25% of the delays at Nimule border point are caused by poor infrastructure and 75% is by poor facilitation. Given that road transport will be the most suitable option for South Sudan for the next 10 years and the confirmation by the government of Uganda that the road from Gulu to Nimule will be completed by early 2015, there is need to develop an Integrated Border Management system and adequate personnel training to deal with the expected increase in traffic. What: The project focuses on setting up the institutional and legal framework necessary for collaboration in border management at inter-agency and bilateral levels, reviewing and implementing one stop border post procedures, training border agency officials, and installing ICT networks, hardware, furniture and equipment. How: TMA is providing funding for the development of an integrated border management platform and is supporting the lead agencies to implement the project on time and ensure quality. Contact: Michael Ojatum, Email: [email protected] 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="42712" image_2="42708"]A reduction in the total average time it takes to clear cargo at the Elegu/Nimule border...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="South Sudan Customs management reforms" implementor="South Sudan Customs Service" target_group="Importers and exporters in East Africa" project_value="US$ 10,480,971.21" implementation_period="2011 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]As part of the USAID-funded “Sudan Core Institutions Project” there was an assessment of the Customs Service in South Sudan. The report identified a number of “immediate critical actions”. These actions are considered essential before, or immediately after, independence to ensure that South Sudan takes steps towards establishing a fully functioning Customs Service. Customs is recognised as a key priority of GOSS as it takes steps to reduce its over-reliance on oil revenue by building up alternative revenue sources, especially customs duties. What The project aims at supporting the South Sudan Customs Services (SSCS) to become an effective and efficient agency able to support its government's objective of diversifying its revenue incomes while facilitating trade. How: TMA will provide and manage technical assistance to the Government of South Sudan to implement basic fundamentals of customs administration while laying a foundation for a wider customs reform strategy. Contact: John Kalisa, Email:[email protected] 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="42708" image_2="42656"]Efficient customs processing and improved knowledge and skills of South Sudan’s customs service. This will contribute to reducing trade costs in East Africa.[/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 access for 20 crops &...

TradeMark Africa (TMA), on 23 October 2024, hosted a delegation from South Sudan to discuss priorities for enhancing cooperation in various areas of trade facilitation to reduce trade bottlenecks in South Sudan and neighbouring countries in the East African Community. The meeting brought together officials from South Sudan’s Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA), South Sudan National Revenue Authority (SSNRA), South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS), Ministry of Transport and Roads, and the National Cross-border Women Traders Association (NCBWTA). Led by Beny Gideon Mabor, Undersecretary General at MEACA, and TMA CEO David Beer, the two delegations explored opportunities for deeper collaboration, including:  Re-establishing a National Oversight Committee (NOC) to strengthen coordination and oversight of trade facilitation initiatives supported by TMA. Prioritising completion and full operationalisation of the Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) to improve cross-border trade and customs clearance efficiency. Phase 1, which included construction of the truck parking yard and inspection shed, was completed in  2020. Phase 2 works, which would see construction of staff quarters and administration buildings, are pending. Enhancing Standards, Sanitary, and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures to ease compliance with regional standards and boost access to markets for products made in the region. Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to reduce trade costs and improve the flow of goods along the Elegu-Nimule-Juba Corridor, the wider northern corridor, and in the EAC region.  Strengthening institutional capacity for South Sudan's National Bureau of Standards and the private sector in addressing technical barriers to trade. Enabling women traders by...

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...