An MOU between TradeMark Africa and Ministry of Trade and Industry marks the official completion and beginning of operationalising the markets Upcoming activities including space allocation to traders Construction of Rubavu and Rusizi markets was supported by TMA with funding from DFID and the Embassy of Belgium Rubavu 21st March 2019: The Rwanda Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have today announced the official completion of Rusizi and Rubavu Cross Border Markets. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to symbolise completion and official handover of the markets from TMA to the government of Rwanda. The handover marks opening the market space to traders for business. TMA partnered with MINICOM and Rubavu and Rusizi District administration to oversee construction of the markets for the last 1 year. United Kingdom’s Department for Foreign Development (DFID) and Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda provide funding of USD$ 3, 302 ,255.35 and 2,165,250.17 for Rubavu and Rusizi respectively. Rusizi market is all-inclusive with 186 spaces for trading in goods while Rubavu has 192 spaces. Markets facilities include cold rooms, Creche, warehousing, banks and forex bureaus, sanitary facilities as well as service parking. These cross-border markets directly respond to Rwanda’s National Cross Border Trade strategy that calls for the development of CBMS to promote trade between Rwanda and neighbouring countries; and it is expected that the markets will promote cross border trade between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The MOU stipulates that TMA will provide a two-year technical assistance...

An MOU between TradeMark Africa and Ministry of Trade and Industry marks the official completion and beginning of operationalising the markets Upcoming activities including space allocation to traders Construction of Rubavu and Rusizi markets was supported by TMA with funding from DFID and the Embassy of Belgium Rubavu 21st March 2019: The Rwanda Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have today announced the official completion of Rusizi and Rubavu Cross Border Markets. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to symbolise completion and official handover of the markets from TMA to the government of Rwanda. The handover marks opening the market space to traders for business. TMA partnered with MINICOM and Rubavu and Rusizi District administration to oversee construction of the markets for the last 1 year. United Kingdom’s Department for Foreign Development (DFID) and Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda provide funding of USD$ 3, 302 ,255.35 and 2,165,250.17 for Rubavu and Rusizi respectively. Rusizi market is all-inclusive with 186 spaces for trading in goods while Rubavu has 192 spaces. Markets facilities include cold rooms, Creche, warehousing, banks and forex bureaus, sanitary facilities as well as service parking. These cross-border markets directly respond to Rwanda’s National Cross Border Trade strategy that calls for the development of CBMS to promote trade between Rwanda and neighbouring countries; and it is expected that the markets will promote cross border trade between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The MOU stipulates that TMA will provide a two-year technical assistance...

An MOU between TradeMark East Africa and Ministry of Trade and Industry marks the official completion and beginning of operationalising the markets Upcoming activities including space allocation to traders Construction of Rubavu and Rusizi markets was supported by TMA with funding from DFID and the Embassy of Belgium   Rubavu 21st March 2019:  The Rwanda Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have today announced the official completion of Rusizi and Rubavu Cross Border Markets. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to symbolise completion and official handover of the markets from TMA to the government of Rwanda. The handover marks opening the market space to traders for business.   TMA partnered with MINICOM and Rubavu and Rusizi District administration to oversee construction of the markets for the last 1 year. United Kingdom’s Department for Foreign Development (DFID) and Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda provide funding of USD$ 3, 302 ,255.35 and 2,165,250.17 for Rubavu and Rusizi respectively.    Rusizi market is all-inclusive with 186 spaces for trading in goods while Rubavu has 192 spaces. Markets facilities include cold rooms, Creche, warehousing, banks and forex bureaus, sanitary facilities as well as service parking. These cross-border markets directly respond to Rwanda’s National Cross Border Trade strategy that calls for the development of CBMS to promote trade between Rwanda and neighbouring countries; and it is expected that the markets will promote cross border trade between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The MOU stipulates that TMA will provide a two-year technical assistance support that will ensure efficient operationalisation of the market and will also support the continuous monitoring of emerging lessons and results of the markets. This will be a critical building block towards the long-term sustainability of the outcomes of the programme. The handover paves way for MINICOM to set up and operationalise the Cross-Border...

The two harbour cranes are part of the Mombasa port improvement programme providing more resilient infrastructure facilities with an aim of reducing carbon emissions and helping the port, its users and other stakeholders adapt to the effects of climate change. The cranes will enable the port to handle two vessels at a time instead of the present one which in turn will reduce ship waiting times and significantly greenhouse gas emissions from their diesel powered engines. The eco hoppers which will be received in December 2017 to complement the cranes will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30%. Mombasa, Kenya, 29th August 2017 - Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) equipment acquisition efforts for the Port of Mombasa got a major boost on Tuesday following the arrival of two ultra-modern diesel electric cranes. The cranes funded by Trade Mark East Africa (TMA) through the UK government’s International Climate Fund (ICF) facility were procured at a total cost of Kshs 868.27 million (USD 8.7 million). The two portal harbor cranes are part of a comprehensive programme in supporting the Port of Mombasa’s resilient port infrastructure initiatives. These cranes are aimed at mitigating the negative effects on the environment. They are a first of their kind to be deployed in East and Southern Africa. The cranes will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces...

The four eco hoppers are part of the Mombasa port improvement programme providing more resilient infrastructure facilities with an aim of reducing carbon emissions and helping the port, its users and other stakeholders adapt to the effects of climate change. The eco hoppers will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30%. The eco hoppers were procured at a total cost of Kshs 623.21 Million (USD 6.2 Million) and financed through UK Government’s International Climate Fund Mombasa, Kenya, 3rd June 2018 - Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) equipment acquisition efforts for the Port of Mombasa got a major boost on Saturday following the arrival of four eco hoppers. The Four (4) new eco hoppers supplied by Samson Materials Handling Limited are the first equipment of their kind not only in Kenya but also the entire East and Central Africa region. The eco hoppers funded by TradeMark Africa through the UK government’s International Climate Fund (ICF) were procured at a total cost of Kshs 623.21 Million (USD 6.2 Million). TMA has supported port improvements particularly in mitigation and adaptation to climatic change impacts through the Mombasa Resilient Infrastructure Programme (MRIP) which is financed fully by DFID. The program aims to transform the port of Mombasa into a modern and competitive regional hub that is more productive with efficient operations in a sustainable environment. Successful delivery and discharge of the eco hoppers completes in part the...

NAIROBI, Kenya, 20th August 2018:  The Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) has today signed a financing agreement worth US Dollars One Million Five Hundred Thousand ($1,500,000) towards supporting digitalisation of its operations and services. The funding comes from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) channeled through TradeMark Africa (TMA), who will provide technical and project financing support to the agency with the aim to better and efficiently serve their stakeholders nationally, regionally and globally. The proposed digitalization project is twofold: First, it will involve development of ICT-enabled solutions for ease in detection of counterfeits by consumers; ease the process of reporting on counterfeiting by intellectual property rights (IPR) owners. Secondly, it will involve support to research and awareness programs to establish the national public awareness level on counterfeiting and the implementation of a “Training of Trainers (TOT) program on matters of counterfeits. The signing was witnessed by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency chairperson Mrs Flora Mutai, TMA Kenya Country Programme Director, Ahmed Farah and UKAID Head of Sustainable Economic Development, Ian Mills. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Anti-Counterfeit Agency chairperson Mrs Flora Mutai appreciated the support from TMA towards digitising its operations. She noted the increased challenge posed by counterfeiters who are using modern technology to copy trademarks and industrial designs up to undetectable levels. She said: “Technology has now moved to the wrong hands. We are witnessing illicit trade crime sophistication due to “IT in wrong hands”. 3D Technology and access to online markets and sources are a click away; 3D...

Alistair Group, established in 2006 in Tanzania, offers quality road freight and logistics solutions delivered to its customers’ operations. Alistair Group, with funding support from the Logistics Innovation for Trade (LIFT) Challenge Fund, has begun implementing the Alistair+ freight exchange service project with the first step being the development of the Alistair+ application. The strategic objective of the Alistair+ project is to create the technology that will allow the Alistair Group to better connect with subcontractors which will in turn result in increased access to the transportation market for SME transporters and produce operational efficiencies that will reduce transport times and costs. The application will create efficiencies for the logistics and transport industry by enabling SMEs (specifically small-scale locally-owned transporters) to better participate in the logistics chain, while also allocating reputable safe drivers and vehicles to ‘last-mile’ deliveries, or client orders via the use of a database that will include the drivers’ safety histories, deliveries undertaken and vehicle status. As each driver and vehicle is vetted and tracked, pre-clearance will be automated with a centralized documentation system and alerts for loading and offloading. This, in turn, will result in better coordination in the logistics chain. The application will also ensure that truck maintenance and driver training schedules are up to the highest safety standards. Over-speeding and dangerous driving of trucks will be minimised as the driver’s vehicles will be tracked with PS using mobile devices and networks. Transportation routes will be efficiently chosen with the application possessing the ability to notify drivers of route changes and route-way information. The driver will thus receive turn-by-turn directions...

Nairobi – January 22nd, 2018 – Visiting UK Secretary for International Development, Penny Mordaunt has announced a new package of support to TradeMark Africa for implementation of its Strategy2. The UK is significantly scaling up its support to trade and regional integration across East Africa, now providing a total of £ 211m to the second phase of TradeMark Africa. This will increase sustainable and shared prosperity in East Africa and specifically: invest in improving the efficiency and capacity of transport, logistics and trade infrastructure at key port and border points; invest in systems to improve trading standards, reduce non-tariff barriers and enhance transparency in trade processes; improve the regulatory and policy environment for trade; and support private sector advocacy for trade competitiveness, the export capacity of East African businesses and the greater participation of women and small and growing businesses in trade. The UK’s Secretary for International Development, Penny Mordaunt made the announcement during her first official visit to Kenya as International Development Secretary, last week. During her 2-day visit Ms. Mordaunt toured programmes receiving UK aid including a cash transfer programme in Marsabit and Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) customs modernisation programmes in Nairobi.At KRA Mordaunt toured the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking system (RECTs) command centre and the new integrated Customs Management system (iCMS). Mordaunt was impressed that already, the first phase of the custom modernisation programme has reduced customs clearance time – from an average of nine to two days – consequently reducing cost of trading across the region....

Nairobi – March 28, 2014 East African Community (EAC) states are steadily laying the foundations for increased prosperity by dismantling bureaucratic and procedural barriers to economic integration, TradeMark Africa ( TMA ) said today as they launched their second annual report covering the period 2012/2013. The donor-funded organisation, set up to help EAC states, institutions and the private sector to unlock the wealth potential that integration holds, said in its second annual report that much had been achieved towards unravelling bureaucratic and procedural snags to quicker, smoother and cheaper trade between the countries of East Africa. “Increased revenue resulting from streamlined tax gathering is having a significant effect in Burundi, which is now using tax income to fund health and education projects . In tandem with this improvement, business reforms in Burundi mean that it has jumped 13 places in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report. In the private sector, farmers in Kenya can access EU markets through uniform standards and good practices; women cross-border traders in Rwanda and business people in Tanzania have been made aware of the trade opportunities of EA integration; and mutual recognition of professional qualifications will unlock a huge unexploited potential in EA. Meanwhile, Partner States’ products will be subject to harmonised EAC standards that will ensure better quality, safety and sustainability of all products,” TradeMark Africa (TMA) CEO Frank Matsaert said. Lengthy and costly delays in the delivery of goods from the coast to landlocked countries have been tackled through bilateral talks and strengthened...

Dar es Salaam – July 25, 2012 TradeMark Africa ( TMA ) has today handed over to Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Agriculture and Industry, TCCIA 39 Desktop, 39 Smart UPS, 5 Scanner, 20 Printers, 1 Photocopier, 2 Dell Laptops, a server and related software worth 167m Tanzania Shillings to (TCCIA) to operationalize the SMS-based NTB reporting mechanism as well as strengthening and improving communication and reporting of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) by all TCCIA regional offices. The provision of equipment is part of a four year program of support by TradeMark Africa (TMA) to the tune of US$ 1 million to strengthen TCCIA’s role as the private sectors’ focal point on non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in Tanzania and supporting the chamber to play a leadership role in advocating for the removal of NTBs that seriously hinders the promotion of intra-regional trade. The NTB online monitoring and reporting system will be administered by the Chamber staff both at national level and in the regions. TCCIA is the focal point for the private sector in Tanzania on NTBs and represents the private sector in the NTB National Monitoring Committee (NMC). Paulina Elago, TradeMark Africa (TMA) Country Director said:“TradeMark Africa (TMA) will be supporting TCCIA over the next four years to strengthen the capacity of the chamber to play a leadership role in advocating removal of NTBs in Tanzania. TCCIA is a key partner in the promotion of intra-regional trade in the EAC.” In his handing over remarks, David Stanton, TradeMark Africa (TMA)’s Deputy CEO...