The United States and the nations of Africa enjoy a vibrant, multifaced relationship focused on expanding partnerships, global cooperation, and shared prosperity. These countries also share another powerful bond: people. In the 2020 Census, more than 14.4% of Americans self-reported tracing their heritage to the African continent, and these cultural and familial ties provide a source of strength in building bridges through business. Most small businesses do not export, but when they do, they tend to export to markets closest to them. The reasons to encourage small business owners, who make up 99% of all U.S. entrepreneurs, to consider new markets lie in a staggering statistic: 96% of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. Yet only one percent of all U.S. companies export, and when they do, these exporters are overwhelmingly small businesses, and nearly half of these firms sent the bulk of their goods to Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Japan in 2019. That makes the African diaspora a powerful force for building bridges and expanding our economic partnership with the fast-growing countries across Africa. The U.S.-Africa Business Center’s mission to expand U.S.-Africa trade and investment led to the launch of Advance with Africa, with its goal of encouraging more U.S. companies—particularly diaspora-led ventures—to play a role in increasing commercial flows, educating them about doing business in Africa and equipping them with the tools to do so. The Power of Diaspora Ties Recognizing the vital cultural, socio-economic, and commercial ties connecting the United States and Africa through the...

What you need to know: The DRC, a giant country in the heart of Africa, was admitted as a seventh member of the bloc on March 29th, 2022. Arusha. The way has been cleared for the full integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into the East African Community (EAC). This follows a recently held capacity-building exercise for officials of one of the new entrants into the bloc on various legal frameworks for integration. The frameworks include the Customs Union, a key pillar that established zero duty on goods and services traded within the region. The Customs Union also agreed on Common External Tariff (CET), whereby imports from outside the bloc are subjected to the same tariff when sold to any EAC partner state. Under the Customs Union, which has been in force since 2005, goods moving freely within the EAC must comply with the EAC Rules of Origin. According to the EAC secretariat, sensitization of the DRC officials in Kampala also focused on the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) legal framework and procedures. "The main objective of the capacity-building workshop is to sensitise the DRC officials on EAC regional integration," the organ said in a statement. The DRC, a giant country in the heart of Africa, was admitted as a seventh member of the bloc on March 29th, 2022. The sensitization stint of the senior officials was preceded by a training of 32 DRC border officials at the upcoming Mahagi/Goli (OSBP) between the DRC and Uganda. The...

The AfCFTA Agreement and Charter are aimed at providing a broader and deeper economic integration across the African Continent as well as attracting Trade Investment, boosting Trade, providing better jobs, reducing poverty, and increasing Economic prosperity in Africa. On 14th March 2024, Stakeholders in Digital Trade Protocols assembled at the LA Palm Royal Beach Hotel to deliberate on the Role of Stakeholders in advancing the course of Digital Trade in Africa and assessing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol in terms of its implementation and impact on Ghana that will leverage for trade barriers and restrictions that has affected trade investment in Ghana and Africa as a whole. The event was organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, ODI.org, and the Global Policy House supported by UK International Development and Supporting Investment Trade in Africa (SITA). Core issues discussed and assessed by the stakeholders Forum were Digital Trade and E-commerce as catalysts for addressing trade restrictions how digital Trade Protocol could contribute to GDP growth in GHANA and the role of the Private Sector in ensuring that these objectives of AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocols are achieved to better the lot of the African people. According to Mr. Seidu who represented the Private Sector, AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocols well implemented could promote cohesive intra and inter-trading activities within Ghana and beyond. It will enhance Revenue collection and address the loopholes in revenue generation. Accordingly, he suggested an inter-agency conversation and political will to address cyber security, Data, and Internet penetration in...

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to significantly boost intra-Africa trade when fully implemented, but small businesses in East Africa are not happy about it, as it may not bode well for them. A survey by the East African Business Council (EABC), a lobby for private-sector players in the East African Community (EAC), shows that small businesses in the region are worried that a full take-off of AfCFTA could edge them out of business, unless they change tack. Battered by a raft of challenges at home and dissatisfied with the progress in the elimination of intra-EAC trade barriers, the small businesses worry they may not withstand the competition from AfCFTA, which could force many of them to close down. “Intense competition arising from AfCFTA tariff liberalisation is likely to drive weaker enterprises out of business; unless they scale up their efficiency levels,” EABC says in the survey co-published with the African Export-Import Bank. AfCFTA, when fully implemented, is expected to reduce to zero 97 percent of tariffs countries charge on goods from across Africa, opening new markets for East African businesses. But, since they are yet to fully exploit the regional market, they are not that excited about the continental customer base. Theoretically, AfCFTA is projected to boost eastern Africa’s exports to other African countries by at least $1 billion annually, creating up to 1.9 million jobs and lifting 65 million Africans out of extreme poverty, according to estimates by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa...

Lusaka, le 20 mars 2024: Le gouvernement zambien, représenté par le ministère des finances et de la planification nationale, et TradeMark Africa (TMA) ont conclu un accord de soutien aux partenaires (Partner Support Agreement - PSA) afin de moderniser le poste frontalier à arrêt unique de Nakonde, une route commerciale clé entre la Zambie et la Tanzanie. Financé par le gouvernement britannique, le projet de 197 millions de ZMK (7,1 millions de livres sterling) améliorera le flux de marchandises et de personnes le long du corridor Dar es Salaam, promettant de rationaliser les opérations et de réduire les délais de dédouanement des marchandises de plus de 100 % des deux côtés de la frontière. Actuellement, il faut plus de deux jours pour dédouaner les camions de marchandises qui traversent la frontière, ce qui entraîne des retards importants et des pertes pour les entreprises. Le ministre zambien des finances, Situmbeko Musokotwane, et le PDG de TMA, David Beer, ont lancé le programme. Le ministre Musokotwane a souligné le potentiel du projet à moderniser les infrastructures, à réduire la congestion et à améliorer les flux commerciaux dans la région, en déclarant : "Cet accord ouvre la voie à des interventions transformatrices visant à moderniser les infrastructures à l'OSBP de Nakonde, à améliorer l'efficacité aux frontières, à réduire la congestion et à améliorer la facilitation du commerce." Il a ajouté : " Grâce à l'amélioration des infrastructures à l'OSBP de Nakonde, nous visons à renforcer l'efficacité du dédouanement le long du corridor Dar-es-Salaam,...

Addis Ababa, Ethiopie, le 15 mars 2024: Le gouvernement des États-Unis, par le biais du programme ERRA (Economic Recovery and Reform Activity) de l'USAID mis en œuvre par TradeMark Africa (TMA), avec un financement de "Feed the Future", a engagé 550 000 dollars pour le développement et la mise en œuvre d'un système intégré de gestion de flotte (iFMS). Dirigé par Smartwatch Solutions Ltd et supervisé par le ministère éthiopien des transports et de la logistique, ce projet permettra de rationaliser les opérations de la flotte le long du corridor éthio-djiboutien. Le projet a débuté aujourd'hui par une cérémonie de signature à l'hôtel Skylight. En 2023, l'USAID a accordé à TradeMark Africa (TMA) 2 millions de dollars pour améliorer la sécurité alimentaire par le biais du commerce agricole le long du corridor Ethio-Djibouti. La logistique est au cœur de ces efforts. Chaque camion qui se rend à Djibouti est déjà équipé d'un dispositif de suivi, conformément à la réglementation gouvernementale. Cette nouvelle activité garantit que chaque camion partagera ses données de localisation avec le ministère des transports et de la logistique afin qu'il puisse avoir une vue d'ensemble du corridor de transport et cibler les goulets d'étranglement en conséquence. Le corridor Éthiopie-Djibouti dessert plus de 95 % du commerce d'importation et d'exportation de l'Éthiopie, utilisant 15 000 camions, et 3 500 camions supplémentaires en haute saison. Le nouvel iFMS promet de réduire les goulets d'étranglement et d'accélérer les échanges. Ewnetu Taye Chufa, directeur national de TradeMark Africa pour l'Éthiopie, s'est...

ZANZIBAR, le 11 mars 2024: La Chambre de commerce des femmes de Tanzanie (TWCC) et TradeMark Africa (TMA) ont réuni aujourd'hui plus de 500 femmes à Zanzibar, à l'occasion de la conférence sur l'autonomisation économique des femmes. Cette convention importante a coïncidé avec la célébration mondiale de la Journée internationale de la femme, ce qui témoigne de l'engagement à promouvoir la participation économique des femmes. Sous le thème "Investir dans les femmes pour un développement durable", la conférence organisée par TWCC et TMA vise à catalyser l'autonomisation économique en fournissant aux femmes des informations précieuses sur les opportunités commerciales, en encourageant l'échange de connaissances, en célébrant les femmes leaders dans le monde des affaires et en encourageant les talents émergents grâce à des programmes de mentorat. L'invité d'honneur, M. Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, deuxième vice-président de Zanzibar, a souligné l'engagement du gouvernement en faveur de l'émancipation des femmes. "Zanzibar s'est engagé à assurer la pleine participation des femmes aux activités économiques", a-t-il affirmé, citant des initiatives telles que la création de l'Institut pour l'émancipation économique et la formulation de la politique de l'économie bleue. Mme Mwajuma Hamza, PDG du TWCC, a souligné l'effort de coopération en déclarant : "En partenariat avec TradeMark Africa et d'autres parties prenantes, cette conférence constitue une plateforme essentielle pour doter les femmes des outils et des réseaux nécessaires pour prospérer dans le commerce et les échanges." TradeMark Africa, championne des initiatives d'aide au commerce depuis 2010, a réaffirmé son engagement en faveur de l'autonomisation économique des...

La part de l'Afrique dans le commerce mondial est restée inférieure à 3 %, principalement en raison du commerce de marchandises, ce qui indique que les pays africains continuent à commercer avec le reste du monde plus qu'entre eux, selon un nouveau rapport sur l'évaluation des progrès de l'intégration régionale en Afrique de la Commission économique pour l'Afrique (CEA). Le rapport a été présenté récemment aux experts par Stephen Karingi, directeur de la division de l'intégration régionale et du commerce de la CEA. Le rapport montre que le programme d'intégration régionale de l'Afrique progresse, bien que lentement. En outre, malgré les progrès réalisés en matière d'intégration monétaire et financière, les États membres n'ont pas rempli les critères de convergence macroéconomique. En outre, le développement des infrastructures par le biais du programme de développement des infrastructures en Afrique a obtenu des résultats mitigés. Si les routes et les TIC ont progressé, les transports ferroviaires et les infrastructures énergétiques ont peu évolué. Le financement des infrastructures reste un défi. Les progrès réalisés dans d'autres domaines essentiels au succès de l'accord instituant la zone de libre-échange continentale africaine, tels que la ratification du protocole au traité instituant la Communauté économique africaine relatif à la libre circulation des personnes, au droit de résidence et au droit d'établissement, et la promotion de la paix, de la bonne gouvernance et de la sécurité, ont été moins encourageants. "Le nombre croissant de changements anticonstitutionnels de gouvernement met en évidence les défis permanents auxquels sont confrontés les pays...

In Summary The upgraded border post will consolidate immigration, customs, security, and sanitation checks under one roof. President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, are set to launch a one-stop border post at the Suam border point in Trans Nzoia along the Kenya-Uganda border in the coming weeks. Speaking on Tuesday during the official opening of the 3rd sitting of the 3rd session of the 5th East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Ruto said the joint effort aims to bolster trade between the neighbouring states. The upgraded border post will consolidate immigration, customs, security, and sanitation checks under one roof. “President Museveni and I will be launching a one-stop border post in Suam in a couple of weeks,” he said. The project is funded by the African Development Bank and supported by the governments of Kenya and Uganda, as well as the China State Engineering Construction Corporation. Further, he emphasized the significance of this initiative in facilitating the movement of people and goods within the region. Ruto attributed the project’s success to the policies and legislation championed by EALA, which have addressed barriers hindering regional integration. “Our customs union is on the move, with this Assembly creating legislative frameworks to establish a common external tariff, uniform customs rules and procedures, and common rules of origin.” The Head of State highlighted the Assembly’s role in establishing frameworks for a customs union, uniform customs rules, procedures, and rules of origin and eliminating non-tariff barriers. Furthermore, Ruto praised EALA for its contributions...

The African share of global trade remained at less than 3%, driven largely by merchandise trade, an indicator that African countries continue to trade with the rest of the world more than among themselves, according to a new report on Assessment of progress on regional integration in Africa by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The report was presented recently by Stephen Karingi, ECA Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division to experts. The report shows Africa’s regional integration agenda is progressing, albeit slowly. Furthermore, despite progress in monetary and financial integration, member states have not met the macroeconomic convergence criteria. In addition, infrastructure development through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa achieved mixed results. While roads and ICT advanced, rail transport and energy infrastructure progressed little. Infrastructure financing remains a challenge. Progress in other areas crucial to the success of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, such as the ratification of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment, and fostering peace, good governance and security, has been less encouraging. “The rising number of unconstitutional changes of Government highlights the ongoing challenges afflicting African countries, including weak governance, persistent poverty and limited employment opportunities,” said Mr. Karingi adding that the second 10-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063 will need to address those challenges directly. “States should continue to take the necessary measures to ensure that the regulatory environment is conducive to...