Five years ago, Africa made history. When the African Continental Free Trade Area was launched, it carried the hopes of 1.2 billion people coming together as one market, harnessing a $3 trillion economy, and a vision of an Africa trading with itself, on its own terms. Five years later, while celebrating the successes of the AfCFTA, we can also ask ourselves where we need to go now in a fast-changing world. The past five years have seen a COVID-19 pandemic which hugely disrupted global supply chains, leading to a contraction in global trade in 2020 of over 5%. While trade rebounded, geopolitical tensions combined with a retreat from free trade have loomed large, with global trade now undergoing the slowest growth in five decades outside global recessions. As these uncertainties unfold, they create a complex new landscape that Africa must carefully navigate to advance its economic interests. This lecture will examine: the achievements or AfCFTA score card; the financial and internal structural issues that are hindering Africa’s accession to the centre of global trade; and what the future may hold. The Good: AfCFTA Scorecard Firstly, the good. When the AfCFTA was launched in 2020, it promised to break down borders, boost African trade, and unlock economic growth across the continent. And the AfCFTA is Africa’s most successful Agenda 2063 flagship project. Of all the major initiatives under Agenda 2063, it stands out as the most advanced in implementation according to the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD’s 2022 biennial report​. The...

Le ministre de l'industrie, du commerce et de l'investissement, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, a révélé que le projet de guichet unique national (NSW) au Nigeria stimulera les exportations du pays et créera de nombreuses opportunités d'emploi. S'exprimant à Lagos, le ministre a déclaré que la mise en place du système NSW pour les processus commerciaux au Nigeria n'est pas simplement un objectif politique ; « il s'agit d'une réforme transformatrice qui redéfinira fondamentalement la manière dont les échanges commerciaux sont menés à travers nos frontières ». « Notre projet de guichet unique fournira une plateforme numérique centralisée permettant aux négociants de soumettre, de traiter et d'accéder à la documentation liée au commerce - éliminant ainsi la corruption grâce à une transparence accrue, réduisant les charges administratives et améliorant de manière significative la facilité de faire des affaires au Nigéria ». « Les exportations contribuent non seulement au PIB du Nigeria, mais fournissent également les devises étrangères nécessaires pour stabiliser notre économie et favoriser le développement durable. Le ministre a expliqué que pour les entreprises, « la NSW offre des processus rationalisés : un point d'entrée unique pour soumettre les documents réglementaires tels que les déclarations en douane et les permis d'exportation ». Mme Oduwole a déclaré que la NSW offrait également une plus grande transparence grâce à des processus centralisés, réduisant ainsi les possibilités de corruption et offrant des procédures prévisibles pour les commerçants. Selon elle, elle a ajouté que le coût des dépenses administratives des entreprises est économisé tout en...

Un nouveau projet visant à renforcer la conformité et la compétitivité de la chaîne de valeur du maïs dans les districts de Gulu et d'Amuru, dans le nord de l'Ouganda, a été lancé. Le projet, mis en œuvre en partenariat avec TradeMark Africa et avec le soutien du gouvernement britannique, vise à renforcer les capacités des acteurs de la chaîne de valeur du maïs dans les districts de Gulu et d'Amuru, en mettant l'accent sur l'amélioration du respect des normes relatives au maïs. Ceci, à son tour, vise à améliorer la qualité, la compétitivité du marché et les moyens de subsistance des agriculteurs dans les districts de Gulu et d'Amuru. S'exprimant lors du lancement à l'hôtel Churchill Courts de Gulu, la directrice exécutive de SEATINI, Jane Nalunga, a déclaré que le projet s'inscrivait dans le cadre de leurs efforts continus visant à améliorer le respect des normes pour les principaux produits agricoles et à améliorer la compétitivité de l'Ouganda sur les différents marchés. « Le maïs est une culture importante pour la sécurité alimentaire, mais aussi pour le commerce et l'immense potentiel qu'il peut contribuer à améliorer les moyens de subsistance tout au long de la chaîne de valeur et à accroître les revenus des ménages », a déclaré Mme Nalunga. Mme Nalunga a expliqué que le maïs est une source essentielle de nourriture et de revenus pour des millions de ménages en Ouganda et qu'il est largement cultivé dans tout le pays en raison de son adaptabilité aux différentes...

L'Association sectorielle éthio-logistique (ELSA), en partenariat avec TradeMark Africa (TMA), organise une conférence de deux jours visant à améliorer le commerce et à éliminer les obstacles au sein du corridor commercial Éthiopie-Djibouti. Soutenue par l'Union européenne (UE) par l'intermédiaire de l'Agence française de développement (AFD), la conférence, qui a débuté hier, se termine aujourd'hui, 22 janvier 2025, et un événement de suivi est prévu en avril à Djibouti. Kassahun Gofe, ministre du commerce et de l'intégration régionale, a déclaré : « Le ministère du commerce s'est engagé à mettre en œuvre des mesures qui améliorent les opportunités d'affaires et promeuvent le commerce. Nous continuerons à créer un environnement qui encourage la croissance et la prospérité pour tous, tout en faisant progresser l'intégration commerciale régionale ». Cette conférence met en lumière le rôle essentiel du corridor Éthiopie-Djibouti, qui assure 90 % du commerce extérieur de l'Éthiopie. Il y a trois ans, l'UE a lancé un programme de 32 millions d'euros en partenariat avec l'AFD et TMA afin d'améliorer l'efficacité du corridor, de réduire les coûts commerciaux et de rationaliser les transactions transfrontalières. L'initiative s'est concentrée sur la facilitation du commerce, le soutien aux principales chaînes de valeur et les pratiques commerciales durables et inclusives, en particulier au profit des femmes commerçantes et des groupes vulnérables. Les projets clés de ce programme comprennent la mise en œuvre d'un système de gestion de la flotte, l'alignement sur les normes de l'accord de facilitation des échanges de l'OMC et l'amélioration de la gestion du...

Le Secrétariat de la Communauté de l'Afrique de l'Est (CAE) a lancé la plateforme centralisée du Territoire douanier unique (TCD), un outil conçu pour faciliter l'échange transparent de données douanières et commerciales en temps réel entre les autorités douanières et portuaires des États partenaires interconnectés. L'inauguration a eu lieu au siège du secrétariat de la CAE à Arusha, en Tanzanie, et coïncide avec la célébration de la Journée internationale des douanes, dont le thème est « La douane respecte son engagement en faveur de l'efficacité, de la sécurité et de la prospérité ». La secrétaire générale de la CAE, S.E. Veronica Nduva, qui a présidé au lancement, a souligné l'importance de la plateforme pour faire progresser l'intégration régionale et stimuler le commerce : « Le territoire douanier unique a été créé en 2014 pour simplifier, automatiser et accélérer le mouvement des marchandises à travers la CAE. La plateforme centralisée est un élément clé du cadre du territoire douanier unique. Grâce au partage en temps réel des informations douanières, cette plateforme permet de relever des défis tels que les retards de dédouanement, les barrières non tarifaires, les coûts de transaction élevés et les inefficacités dans le commerce transfrontalier », a-t-elle déclaré. Mise en œuvre initialement en 2017, la plateforme a évolué pour prendre en charge les transactions liées au commerce intrarégional, aux exportations vers les marchés mondiaux, aux marchandises en transit et à la délivrance de certificats d'origine. En 2023, la plateforme a été mise à jour pour inclure le commerce...

A new project that will help strengthen the maize value chain’s compliance and competitiveness in Gulu and Amuru districts in Northern Uganda has been launched.The project implemented in partnership with TradeMark Africa with support from the UK Government, seeks to strengthen the capacity of maize value chain actors in Gulu and Amuru Districts, with a focus on enhancing compliance with maize standards. This, in turn, aims to improve quality, market competitiveness, and the livelihoods of farmers in Gulu and Amuru districts. Speaking during the launch at Gulu Churchill Courts Hotel, SEATINI Executive Director, Jane Nalunga said the project is part of their continuous efforts toward enhancing standards compliance for key agricultural products and improving Uganda’s competitiveness in various markets.“There is a reason we chose maize. Maize is an important crop when it comes to food security but also for trade and the immense potential it can contribute to improving livelihoods across the entire value chain and improving incomes at the household level,” Nalunga said. She explained that maize serves as a key source of food and income for millions of households in Uganda and is widely cultivated across the country due to its adaptability to various Agro-ecological zones.“Maize also plays a significant role in food security and trade with a large portion of the production being consumed locally and the surplus exported to neighbouring countries but its  production faces challenges which compromise its quality and consequently leading to rejections by key trading partners.”Previously, Ugandan maize has been flagged and stopped...

Delegates at the event while unveiling a revamped Single Customs Territory (SCT) Centralised Platform The establishment of over 15 One-Stop Border Posts in East African Community (EAC) has generated annual savings of more than $63 million and reduced border crossing times by 70 percent, said Veronica Nduva, EAC Secretary General. She noted that the physical and digital infrastructure put in place over the years have efficiently maximized the time and cost of cross-border trade, hence, driving regional integration and deepening trade. ALSO READ: How one stop border posts have reduced cost of trade This was highlighted at the unveiling of a revamped Single Customs Territory (SCT) Centralised Platform, a tool designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of customs and trade data in real-time among interconnected partner states’ customs and port authorities, on January 27.   Veronica Nduva, EAC Secretary General speaks during the event while unveiling a revamped Single Customs Territory (SCT) Centralised Platform. Courtesy Held at the EAC Secretariat Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, it was in line with the celebration of the International Customs Day, themed “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.” “The Centralised Platform is a critical component of the SCT framework. By enabling real-time sharing of customs information, this platform augments regional efforts to address challenges such as delays in customs clearance, non-tariff barriers, high transaction costs, and inefficiencies in cross-border trade,” said Nduva. “By automating the critical customs and trade facilitation processes, these interventions, including the Centralised Platform, ensure faster and more efficient...

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has disclosed that the National Single Window (NSW) project in Nigeria will boost the country’s export and create many job opportunities. Speaking in Lagos, the Minister said the establishment of the NSW system for trade processes in Nigeria is not merely a policy objective; “it is a transformative reform that will fundamentally redefine the way trade is conducted across our borders. “Our single window project will provide a centralised digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation – eliminating corruption through improved transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.” Oduwole noted that the National Single Window system would enable Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively in global markets. “Driving job creation in export-oriented sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub under AfCFTA. “Exports not only contribute to Nigeria’s GDP but also provide the foreign exchange needed to stabilise our economy and foster sustainable development.” The Minister explained that for businesses, “the NSW offers streamlined processes: a single entry point for submitting regulatory documents such as customs declarations and export permits.” Oduwole stated that the NSW also offers enhanced transparency through centralised processes, minimising opportunities for corruption and providing predictable procedures for traders. She said the cost of businesses’ administrative expenses is saved while avoiding delays that result in demurrage or storage fees.

The exports earnings from horticultural products have clocked US$500 million mark (nearly 1.5trn/-) driven by the shipment of edible vegetables , making it one of the significant sectors to watch in future, in terms of contributing to foreign exchange earnings. Tanzania's horticulture exports include a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, which is positioning the country as one of the world's top 20 vegetable producers. Provisional data by Bank of Tanzania (BoT) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) show that during the year ending November 2024, exports earnings from horticultural products amounted to US$502.8 million, an increase from US$418 million recorded during the year ended in November 2023. Major markets for horticultural products exports include United Kingdom, European Union, China and other Asian countries. The amount was more than exports earnings recorded by key traditional crops including cashew nuts (US$448 million) and tobacco (US$480 million) or more than exports earnings from cloves, coffee, sisal and tea combined. The largest earnings were recorded on exports of edible vegetables, which amounted to US$386 million, an increase from US$321 million recorded during the year ended in November 2023. Data show exports earnings from floriculture, also increased during the reported period to US$28.4 million, from US$26 million, while fruits exports injected US$53.2 million from US$38million respectively. The exports of other unspecified horticultural products also recorded increased earnings as they amounted to US$34 million from US$32.9 million respectively. This is happening while the government is continuing to create conducive business environment as well as necessary...

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), with support from Trade Mark Africa (TMA), is seeking registration / accreditation to offer Global Good Agricultural Practice (G.A.P) certification to enhance global market access and trade facilitation through reducing the cost of doing business for farmers. Global GAP is an internationally recognised farm assurance program, translating consumer requirements into Good Agricultural Practice. It is a privately owned certification scheme, mainly offered by private certification bodies at a price range of between USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per farm, because it requires getting auditors from outside Uganda which is costly, coupled with limited awareness in the Agricultural sector. However, once UNBS acquires the Global G.A.P certification registration, the cost of acquiring Global G.A.P certification will be tremendously reduced to less than USD 4000, allowing majority of Ugandan farmers and exporters to meet international food safety and quality requirements leading to access of premium markets in Europe and North America. Currently, there are less than 10 Ugandan companies with valid Global G.A.P certifications, and the above intervention to reduce the cost of Global G.A.P certification will see this number increase, improving Uganda’s capacity to leverage and maximize its horticultural export potential. Availability of affordable Global G.A.P certification within the country will further ensure import substitution of certification services by increasing market access and competitiveness of Uganda’s fresh produce globally, thus promoting export promotion in line with Vision 2040 and NDP IV. Thus,...