Maputo, 18th May 2021: The Mozambique Revenue Authority (MRA), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA), has delivered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which will be distributed to border authorities at the Mozambiquan and South African border of Ressano Garcia/ Lebombo. The delivery was witnessed by H.E. Taurai Tsama, Mozambique’s Customs Director General, H.E. Mrs. Nuala O’Brien, Ambassador of Ireland to Mozambique, and Mrs. Sarah Love, Deputy Director of Development at the British High Commission in Mozambique. The equipment provided include hand sanitizers, liquid hand washing soap, infrared thermometer, re-usable safety boots, full protective PPE, , reusable masks, plastic face shield, disposable gloves, hand sanitiser dispensers and disinfectant spray bottles This is part of TradeMark Africa’s wider support for mitigation measures against the spread of COVID-19 and continuous trade in Eastern and Southern Africa borders under its Safe Trade Emergency Facility Programme. Today’s symbolic handover will cover the needs of customs, immigration, security, and port health officials at Mozambique borders. Speaking at the ceremony, Sarah Love, Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission in Maputo said: “The UK is funding TMA in Mozambique and Malawi through the Safe Trade programme which is partnering with the Revenue Authority to implement measures to ensure that safe trade can continue during this COVID-19 pandemic. UK funding of £200,000 has enabled the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment for customs and border officials and the development of a joint emergency response to COVID-19 at these locations. This support will ensure a safe working environment for border...

Mchinji, 7th May, 2021 The UK Government in partnership with TradeMark Africa on Friday 7th May 2021 officially handed over quarantine and screening facilities in key border posts of Mwanza, Dedza and Songwe and Mchinji borders to the Malawi Ministry of Health to support its capacity and fight against COVID-19. These facilities will meet the needs of hundreds of travellers at key Malawi border stations and border officials to include: Port Health staff, Malawi Revenue Authority staff by providing safe COVID-19 screening and isolation areas. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art supplies that will help in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health challenges at the border stations, thereby ensuring safety of border users and frontline personnel during the pandemic and beyond but also ultimately enabling undisrupted flow of goods and services across the key borders. The symbolic handover ceremony of all facilities took place at Mchinji border post and was graced by Malawi’s Minister of Health Hon Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, British High Commissioner David Beer and TMA Malawi Ag Country Director, Myra Deya. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is funding Malawi’s component of TMA’s Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF) programme with a contribution of MWK 400m (GBP 0.5m). It’s under this programme that the quarantine facilities handover has been made as part FCDO’s wider support for mitigation against the spread of COVID-19 and promotion of continuous safe trade in Malawi. Other interventions conducted under the Malawi STEF Programme included distribution of Personal...

TradeMark E.A and FSD Africa have partnered to launch a ground-breaking report on the trade finance landscape in East Africa and the Horn of Africa region. The report titled ‘Trade Finance Landscape in East Africa and Horn of Africa: Barriers, opportunities& potential interventions to drive uptake’ has highlighted limited access to trade finance as a key barrier hindering the region from playing a more significant role in global commerce. Whereas Africa comprises for 17% of the global population for instance, it only accounts for just 1.8% of global trade exports and 2.1% of global trade imports as per 2018 data. Of all sub-regions of the continent, East Africa continue to post the lowest total export trade in goods and services compared to other sub-regions, demanding concerted actions by all actors. Speaking during the launch of the report TradeMark CEO Frank Matsaert noted that the report provided a good starting point in tackling key challenges limiting the regions performance in global trade ‘The low intra-regional trade in Africa is because trading activities across the continent are inhibited, For SMEs in particular by limited access to finance but also due to high export costs, political instability, poor infrastructure and high taxation’ he observed. The study focussed on three priority sectors namely, agriculture, construction and textiles& garments and found key barriers to uptake exist both at ecosystem and trade finance provision level, underscoring the importance of holistic interventions for meaningful impact. FSD Director for Credit Markets Jared Osoro, called for a comprehensive address...

The British Ambassador, Kate Foster, visited Hargeisa this week to reaffirm the strength of the UK’s partnership with Somaliland including in the trade and development sector. In her first visit to Somaliland since her appointment in February, Ms. Foster joined President Muse Bihi in launching the main construction phase of the 22.5 km Hargeisa bypass. The UK-supported bypass will reduce the time and cost of transporting goods between Berbera Port and landlocked Ethiopia by addressing a strategic chokepoint on the Berbera corridor. In the construction phase, particular attention will be paid to climate proofing, ensuring the road is built to last. Protection of local heritage is also a key consideration, recognising the road’s proximity to the iconic Nasa Hablood hills – the symbol of Hargeisa city. The corridor is already facilitating the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities in the wider region. The World Food Programme uses Berbera to bring 65% of its food aid into Ethiopia. With Ethiopia’s trade volumes projected to continue expanding, Berbera also represents an alternative for increasing trade and prosperity in the Horn of Africa. The continued development of the Berbera corridor will ensure that ordinary people from across Somaliland will benefit from inclusive economic development. Future UK support will focus on more efficient cross border trade between Somaliland and Ethiopia including through the use of one-stop border posts, cargo tracking systems and efficient regulation at the border. At the launch event, Somaliland President, Muse Bihi, said: “I would like to thank the UK and partners for their role in investing...

Dar es Salaam, 30th April 2021: Today, the Ministry of Industry and Trade through Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) launched a system that automates the standardisation and quality control of products and services provided by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), the National Standards body. The system is named the “Integrated Standards, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing” (iSQMT) system. At the same time, TBS unveiled an online system for conducting trainings to stakeholders, named the e-Learning Portal. The two systems were developed by TBS and TradeMark Africa (TMA). Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, Ireland, and Norway funded the development of these systems with a contribution of US$600,000 for the iSQMT portal and US$350,000 for the e-learning platform. Through iSQMT, TBS has automated the following core processes: standards development, product certification, system certification, import inspection, metrology and testing. iSQMT has been integrated to the eGovernment payment gateway platforms which guarantees fully automated processes from application, payment and acquisition of the final product (certificate/permit). Some of the expected benefits are a reduction in time and transaction costs as stakeholders will no longer need to visit TBS offices for services related to standards and quality control, training, collection of permits and certificates. TBS predicts to significantly reduce incidences of loss and duplication of records since all the information required to process requests from stakeholders will be hosted within one system. The data collected via the system will inform better decision making in the regulation and administration of TBS processes. E-Learning Portal Part of TBS...

Maputo, 3rd May: The Mozambique Revenue Authority (MRA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TradeMark Africa (TMA) paving the way for TMA expansion into Mozambique. The agreement was signed by the AT Director General of Planning, Studies and International Cooperation, Dr. Augusto Paulo Tacarindua, and TMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frank Matsaert. TMA aims to collaborate with AT: in the establishment of commercial systems and procedures to support the effective and efficient clearance and transit of goods; in the implementation of measures to ensure safe trade at the borders with neighbouring countries through provision of PPEs; in the dissemination of Southern African Development Community (SADC) COVID-19 operational guidelines; strengthening the joint border committee framework; and raising awareness among border agencies and cross border women traders. Furthermore, TMA will replicate its success in contributing to the ease of trading across borders and through its Safe Trade Emergency Facility (Safe Trade) program, support the Government of Mozambique to undertake critical measures along the transport and trade routes that will ensure trade continues safely while protecting livelihoods. TMA CEO Frank Matsaert noted, “We are excited with this new phase of growth that adds an important country and economy into our operations. Our programme will contribute to improved trading environment for Mozambique with its trading partners on key corridors, which as a result, will propel Mozambique into a leading economy and grow prosperity for its citizens.” TMA’s Mozambique programme will be designed to deliver maximum value for money and effectiveness. It will draw...

Nairobi hosts EU-Africa Green Talk dialogue on sustainable development impact of local projects Dialogue between European Investment Bank, Portuguese Embassy in Kenya, financial community and development stakeholders confirms importance of green investment The Secretary General of East African Community today joined more than 150 African business leaders, financial experts and diplomats in the Nairobi EU-Africa Green Talk to share investment best practice and outline how to mobilise private sector support for sustainable development across Africa. “Recent innovative investment across East Africa has transformed access for millions of people to clean water, renewable energy and finance essential for a better and more sustainable future. Today’s Nairobi Green Talks allow innovative solutions and technical best-practice to be shared with the rest of Africa and the world. The East African Community commends the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union and the European Investment Bank for their engagement with East African partners to further strengthen sustainable investment in the years ahead.” said Dr Peter Mathuki, incoming Secretary General of the East African Community. Participants highlighted how recent and future private sector led clean energy, sustainable transport and business investment across East Africa can unlock economic opportunities, strengthen resilience to COVID-19, increase protection from a changing climate and ensure more sustainable use of resources in the future. “Partnership between Africa and Europe is key to increasing investment essential to combat climate change and create new opportunities. The Portuguese EU Presidency and European Investment Bank are pleased to join forces with East African business, political and...

Nairobi, 11th March 2021: Today, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, launched a system that automates issuance of import and export services provided by the Agriculture and Food Authority of Kenya (AFA), the government regulatory agency. The system was developed by AFA and TradeMark Africa (TMA), automating agricultural business processes in Kenya including issuance of permits and licensing. Named the AFA-Integrated Management Information System (AFA-IMIS); this is an 8-in-1 Single Window Information for Trade (SWIFT) system covering the certification and licensing of trade in cash crops including tea, coffee, nuts, oils, sugar, horticulture, flowers, cotton, sisal, pyrethrum, food crops and other industrial crops. It will provide an efficient platform for delivery of technical and advisory services, market research, product development, regulations and compliance functions for export and import of the cash crops. Denmark funded the development of the system with a contribution of US$1.37 million. The event was graced by Royal Danish Embassy Counsellor Morgen Strunge Larsen, AFA Director General Mr. Kello Harsama, TMA Senior Director for Trade Environment Mr. Alban Odhiambo and TMA Country Director Mr. Ahmed Farah HSC. Speaking at the event, Director General of AFA Kello Harsama acknowledged the support and reiterated AFAs’ commitment to ensure safe food is marketed within and out of Kenya.  “This system will help us serve the agriculture sector well. As AFA we are not only concerned with food that is coming into Kenya, but also food that is being produced in Kenya. Soon we will start surveillance on food...

Mombasa, 2nd March: A financial agreement worth €10.5 million between the Government of Finland and TradeMark Africa (TMA) was signed this morning, in Mombasa. The Government of Finland, represented by its Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Erik Lundberg, reiterated its commitment to supporting regional trade and the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the East African region. The event was officiated by Kenya’s Ministry of East Africa and Regional Development Principal Secretary Dr. Kevit Desai and witnessed by TMA Board Chair Amb. Erastus Mwencha, TMA CEO Mr. Frank Matsaert and TMA Country Director Mr. Ahmed Farah. Through this new Finnish funding, TMA will scale up support to governments to adopt ICT for Trade systems in key trade agencies that contribute to the successful implementation of National Single Windows. TMA has laid frameworks and forged partnerships to support multimodal transport corridors which not only reduce costs associated with trade, but also reduce the carbon footprint of transport. Lake and rail transport produce much less emission per tonne of cargo moved as compared to road transport. Efforts will go towards supporting digital trade corridors, safe sanitary and phytosanitary trade corridors, bolster trade remedies structures at national, regional and continental levels, investments in standards quality infrastructure centres of excellence, scale up of regional authorised economic operator schemes and authorised supply chains frameworks. This infrastructure will be critical in reducing barriers to trade and supporting smooth implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The new funding will build up on results that have been...

At least 2,000 Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to gain digital skills through the KEPSA E-commerce Booster Program Nairobi, Kenya - 25th February 2021: With funding from the European Union and UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, the Kenya Private Sector (KEPSA) today launched an Ecommerce Booster Program targeting at least 2000 Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises (MSMES). The program is being supported by TradeMark Africa, a leading aid for trade regional body in East Africa while the technical support for this program is being provided by Amari Consulting Ltd. The program targets businesses with little or no digital presence for training and on-boarding to e-commerce platforms to ensure MSMEs can increase and diversify their revenue streams during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause disruptions in the global and regional value chains, it has become clear that e-commerce is an important tool and solution for businesses and consumers. E-commerce can support small businesses in reducing their costs and effectively reaching their customers; it is an economic driver for both domestic growth and international trade thus making economies more competitive. The COVID-19 pandemic has occasioned a spike in business-to-consumer (B2C) online sales and an increase in Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce. The increase in B2C sales is particularly evident in online sales of medical supplies, household essentials and food products. As a result, attention has been drawn to several challenges hindering the full potential of e-commerce across countries. These include price gouging, product safety concerns, deceptive practices,...