The European Union has today announced a funding of Euro 25 million to TradeMark Africa (formerly TradeMark East Africa) to facilitate a five-year programme that will boost Kenya’s exports and support the Government in creating a conducive trade environment. Moreover, the programme will aim to create a more environmentally sustainable export eco system that will reduce the carbon footprint of exports.  The European Union Ambassador to Kenya H.E Henriette Geiger and TradeMark Africa’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. David Beer signed the agreement in the presence of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Hon. Moses Kuria during the ongoing EU-Kenya Business Forum that’s is taking place in Nairobi. The programme, named Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme (BEEEP), will build on interventions already supported by the Government of Kenya and will complement the goal of the Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy (INEDPS) that seeks to grow Kenya’s agricultural exports. The goal is to close the negative balance of trade through export growth, factor productivity and stimulating economic development and job creation, in a sustainable and inclusive manner. Commenting about the programme before the ceremony, European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger said; “With BEEEP everything comes together, the private sector, the government and financing institutions. We are happy to support the Kenyan government in achieving a sustainable growth of its exports, including greening of transport and logistics. BEEEP aligns fully with our Global Gateway Strategy. The EU support to creating a more conducive business environment both at national...

In a joint statement between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and TradeMark Africa on January 27, 2023, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) and Amb. Erastus Mwencha, the Board Chairman of TradeMark Africa (TMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on improving Ghana’s trade infrastructure and environment. This is part of the Government’s effort to enhance trade competitiveness within the context of the National AfCFTA Policy Framework and Action Plan. The MoU was signed during the launch of TradeMark Africa in Ghana at Peduase Valley Resort, Aburi in the Republic of Ghana, in the presence of H.E Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area; Hon. Herbert Krapa, Deputy Minister in charge of International Trade, the Chief Executive Officer of TradeMark Africa, Mr. David Beer and heads of relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies and Distinguished Guests. The Ministry of Trade and Industry acting through the National AfCFTA Coordination Office and the newly launched TradeMark Africa by this MoU affirmed their commitment and determination to improving trade-related infrastructure and environment in efforts to enhance the performance of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor to support intra-African trade as envisioned by the AfCFTA Agreement. The MoU marks the official start of TMA operations in Ghana and the next logical step as the Government of Ghana and TMA work to reduce costs and time it takes to trade across borders in Ghana. The two partners will work together to support the development of trade...

On January 27, 2023, TradeMark East Africa officially became TradeMark Africa (TMA). The new brand unveiling happened simultaneously with the formal launch of operations in Ghana following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TMA and Ghana's Ministry of Trade and Industry. This ushered in a new chapter in TradeMark Africa's aspirations of continent-wide trade facilitation and improving business competitiveness. We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TMA's rebranding to help you understand more about our vision for enhanced trade integration in Africa. You will also learn more about our new brand identity. Note: TradeMark is joined form of Trade & Markets. Please, download the FAQs for more. [download id="65516"]

TradeMark Africa (formerly TradeMark East Africa) confident to apply the successes of its support to trade facilitation initiatives across major trade corridors in Africa  Accra, Ghana, January 27, 2022: TradeMark East Africa, one of the world’s leading Aid for Trade organisation, has today rebranded to TradeMark Africa (TMA) and simultaneously officially launched its West Africa operations. Founded in 2010 in Kenya, today marks TradeMark Africa expansion from its previous core operational area of East Africa and the Horn, to also support countries in West and Southern Africa. TradeMark Africa now has a presence in fourteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Ghana. TradeMark Africa has to date made cumulative investments of over $1.3 billion in East Africa and the Horn, to reduce the time and costs of trading across borders, and to improve export competitiveness of African businesses. These have among other results slashed the time for traders to cross borders – by 70% on average; and for businesses to receive certification – often from many days to a number of hours. Its programmes have contributed to a 16.5% reduction in the total time it takes to transport a container on the Northern Corridor from Kenya’s Mombasa Port to Bujumbura, Burundi. As part of the pivot to West Africa, TradeMark Africa will support the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), based in Accra, Ghana, to realise its vision...

Products from Malawi will soon find it easier to enter and compete in the international market following a move to support accreditation of the Malawi Bureau of Standards(MBS) by an internationally recognised standards accreditation body. This has been made possible with the EUR 50,000 funding from the Irish Embassy in Malawi through TradeMark Africa. Currently, MBS is unable to certify products and attain recognition in international markets. This is due to lack of accreditation with an international authority on Standards. As a result, key export products like Macadamia nuts have their samples taken to South Africa for testing, causing a direct increase in business costs and time. This reduces the competitiveness of products from Malawi, impeding their potential to reach international markets. Accreditation of MBS will significantly increase efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness of exports, eliminating the number of rejections owing to non-compliance. Emphasising the importance of compliance to international standards, the Ambassador of Ireland to Malawi, Mr. Séamus O’Grady said, “We are delighted to support Malawi in strengthening food safety and food standards though this grant, which will contribute to Malawi’s ambitions to grow exports and open up new opportunities globally.” TradeMark CEO David Beer added, “ We commend the Malawi Bureau of Standards’ efforts towards acquiring international accreditation which will in-turn make them a recognized and trusted body. That is a crucial achievement for increased market access of locally manufactured products and an opportunity for cross-border trade growth and export promotion. We are happy to keep supporting this good...

Innovations will facilitate capital flows across borders  Nairobi, 06 December 2022: AfricaNenda and TradeMark Africa (TradeMark) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to collaborate towards creating digital-related solutions that will enhance financial inclusion across Eastern Africa trade environment. Intra-African trade is expected to increase as the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area accelerates; therefore, there is a need for digital innovations that will enhance capital flows across borders to spur trade and wealth creation. TradeMark and AfricaNenda will contribute in this regard, envisioning innovations that will contribute to inclusive, faster, safer, and greener trade and reduce the costs and time of trading across borders for big and small businesses. Specifically, the two organisations will generate ideas and design solutions and projects to increase transparency and accountability in trade transactions, reduce business transaction time and cost, and enhance collaboration and cooperation between government and private sector trade actors.  AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola and TradeMark’s Chief Executive Officer, David Beer, signed the MOU on behalf of their respective organisations.  The MOU signing comes at a time when TradeMark is retrofitting its programming with a big shift towards digitalisation of trade and transport corridors, green corridors, commercialising some of its initiatives and positioning to support the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area in a wider continental context to enhance continent’s export competitiveness.  TradeMark is best known for contributing to the reduction of time and costs of trading along East Africa’s main trade and transport corridors...

The US$6.2million Project is funded by European Union through the IOM and TradeMark will provide a modern efficient border crossing for cargo and human traffic between DRC and Rwanda, two leading trade partners in the East African region. Ruzizi 2, 23rd November 2022: The construction of the Democratic Republic of Congo Ruzizi 2 One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Bukavu is set to start, following the project site handover to the project contractor Younjin Construction Inc by the Government of DRC. The OSBP is funded by the European Union (EU) through the International Organisation for Immigration (IOM) and TradeMark Africa (TMA). The project will be undertaken in partnership with the Directorate of General Custom and Excise (DGDA) and Directorate of General Immigration (DGM) and is expected to greatly enhance and ease movement of goods and people between DRC and Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region in general. Ruzizi 2 is mainly used by heavy trucks and small traders destined to and from Bukavu. The border post is characterised by small and old infrastructure and unharmonised procedures that hinder smooth flow of goods and people at the border post. Construction of Ruzizi II OSBP is scheduled to take 10 months to complete and will include among other facilities a main administrative building and facilities for immigration verification, parking for cargo trucks, sanitation facilities, access road and entry and exit gates. Implementation of Integrated Border Management (IBM) will facilitate smooth and efficient cross border movement of goods and people between Rwanda and...

Tunduma, 24 November 2022: Border crossing processes at the Tunduma One Stop Border Post (OSBP), the crossing point between Tanzania-Zambia, have received an efficiency and effectiveness boost following installation of non-intrusive inspection facility for inspection of containerized and breakbulk cargo, as well as fuel tankers. The cargo scanners will replace the physical verification processes of containerized cargo and fuel tankers, thus reducing the long customs verification times – currently 3-4 hours- to minutes. The X-ray Cargo scanners worth US$ 2.692million (approx. TZS 6.222 billion) were funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO Tanzania), Embassy of Ireland and the Norwegian Embassy of Tanzania through TradeMark Africa (TMA). This high energy (7.5MeV) and high throughput (120 trucks per hour) scanner will boost Tanzania Revenue Authority’s effectiveness in controlling imports, exports and transit traffic, improving commodity confirmation and detection of prohibited items and smuggling activities. The better turn-around times and high degree of accuracy will contribute to increased revenue collection, security and efficiency in screening large cargo in a timely and cost-effective manner. Making his remarks at the launching ceremony, The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, said, “The government has been implementing plans to improve the business regulatory environment (Blue Print) in this country, including business across borders with the aim to improve business environment, increase local and international investment and promoting economic growth. The implementation of projects for the construction of OSBP and the purchase and installation of X-ray cargo scanners supported by TMA...

Today the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development, in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA), delivered hand and walk-through thermal scanners to be installed at Zanzibar’s ports and airports in Unguja and Pemba. Today’s symbolic handover will improve the efficiency of port health officials who will be able to screen both embarking and disembarking passengers. This is part of TradeMark ’s wider support for mitigation measures against the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, ensuring continuous trade in Eastern and Southern Africa borders under its Safe Trade Emergency Facility Programme. Funded by development partners from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway through TradeMark, a total of 14 walk through thermal scanners and 305 hand thermal scanners worth USD 297,561, will be distributed and installed at the  ports and airports. Currently, there is ongoing training of Port Health officials on how to maintain and operate the equipment. Present at the handover ceremony, Zanzibar’s Minister of Trade and Industrial Developmen Hon. Omar Shaaban, thanked TradeMark for their support to the Government’s efforts to not only fight COVID-19 but also the outbreak of Ebola and other communicable disease, saying; “. The installation of walkthrough and hand thermal scanners at ports and airports will strengthen our Government’s efforts towards making our borders safe and open for trade. Tourism is the main source of livelihood in Zanzibar,making  frontline workers and the larger Zanzibarian community vulnerable to communicable diseases.Protection of all border personnel and the community at large is paramount.” The procurement of these equipment is...

The Government of Djibouti through the Ministry of Health and the EU-IGAD Covid-19 Response Programme kicked off a vaccination drive targeting truck drivers along the Djibouti-Ethiopia trade corridor. As of November 2022, the daily vaccination rate is approximately 200 truck drivers with over 3,500 drivers vaccinated so far since its kick-off in September 2022. The vaccination exercise is implemented by TradeMark Africa as part of the EU-funded programme launched in 2020 to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID 19 in the IGAD region. The programme aims to administer the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to at least 10,000 truck drivers using the Djibouti & Tadjourah corridors. It also seeks to encourage positive behaviour change for the adoption of preventative health measures aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. A vaccination point has been set up at Point Kilometer 12 (PK-12), a major truck holding area in the outskirts of Djibouti City. Building on the success of the first vaccination point, the initiative is being extended to the Port of Tadjourah targeting truck drivers using the Balho border. The vaccination will run continuously until  31st December 2022. Dr. Omar Ismael, the Ministry of Health – National Vaccination Coordinator reiterated the Government’s position on the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 saying it is a priority public health and national safety agenda. Ms. Erika Conti, the Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Djibouti and IGAD  said, “This represents a concrete example of how pooling together different partners for a common objective can...