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...

Africado Ltd was established in the Kilimanjaro Region of Northern Tanzania in 2007 as the first grower in Tanzania of the Hass cultivar. Africado is Tanzania’s largest grower and exporter of avocados. In 2009, Africado successfully raised business growth capital from the Norwegian Development Finance Institution (NorFund) to complete the development of its avocado nucleus plantation farm (Kifufu Estate). The farm has planted 137 hectares of orchards to Hass and employs 140 full-time staff, and an additional 200 seasonal workers. Over 2,000 out-growers (farmers who supply avocados to Africado for export) are now engaged in the production of Hass. The farm was originally a long-abandoned coffee plantation that is now in its rehabilitated state producing 2,600 tonnes of Hass avocados a year. In December 2012, Africado Ltd, with their partner Westfalia Ltd of Tzaneen, South Africa, was awarded a grant by the TradeMark Africa Challenge Fund (TRAC) to assist with the construction of a state-of-the-art processing, cold-chain and packaging facility to export avocados grown and packed on site to EU and the Middle East-based customers via Mombasa port. By raising the competitiveness of Tanzanian agricultural products and being able to better access export markets for Tanzania produce, Africado has also increased the returns to its farmer suppliers by providing value-added services such as training and agricultural product quality assurance. Africado’s interest in establishing the packaging, cold-chain and export facility was to enable local producers like itself to gain direct access to export markets. Prior to the establishment of the facility,...

Kampala, 06 March 2019 – Vibrant sustainable economies require the full inclusion and participation of all citizens and especially women, a joint statement by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) says.  This should be anchored on creating opportunities for decent work driven by innovation and infrastructure development. Revenue authorities, due to their strategic role in trade within countries, are best positioned to initiate and marshal women participation in trade. TMA and URA made the statement while signing an MOU on Wednesday afternoon, during TMA’s celebration of Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on 8th March. The MOU stipulates the two institutions commitment to scale ongoing initiatives already undertaken by the revenue authority under the banner Women Traders Trade Facilitation Framework. Building the capacity of women in trade and simplifying customs clearance processes and procedures will be core of the initiatives supported. Further the two institutions will advocate for gender responsiveness among partners and stakeholders, improve access to trade information and build platforms that will enhance communication between URA and women traders. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, TMA CEO Mr.  Frank Matsaert said that ensuring women participation at all levels of trade and supporting pragmatic interventions that resolve women unique challenges can only be done if the private and public sector build partnerships. This, he said is pivotal to East Africa’s economic transformation.  “It is crucial to ensure that all its citizens, especially women, are involved in trade and other economic activities” said Mr. Matsaert, adding that he...

Nairobi, January 17th, 2019:  TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the AfroChampions Initiative (ACI) have this evening signed a partnership agreement committing to provide support to governments and the private sector in realising the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The agreement was signed by Frank Matsaert, TMA CEO and Ali Mufuruki, Regional Chair, AfroChampions Initiative (ACI). Both organisations have a common interest in building partnerships that promote economic integration as a strategic growth driver for the African continent. The areas of mutual agreement in the partnership include private sector engagement, strategic advocacy with governments and the private sector and improving access to information. Speaking at the event, TMA CEO Frank Matsaert said, “We are delighted in partnering with ACI to help support the realisation of the largest trade agreement which will increase Africa’s trade, increase GDPs and create jobs. TMA, is excited to lend its expertise in supporting the realisation of this dream.” AfroChampions Initiative Regional Chair, Ali Mufuruki said, “AfroChampions is looking forward to engaging further with TMA to promote the AfCFTA to showcase what a successful Africa will look like and to identify benefits of increased intra-continental trade that can be shared between citizens and countries.” TMA and ACI will leverage their expertise in trade facilitation to foster cooperation between African private operators across the continent. The two organisations will identify projects of regional or pan-African importance that require investment from African or foreign investors.  Both TMA and ACI will then promote and participate in the successful projects which will...

Nairobi, January 17th, 2019:  TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the AfroChampions Initiative (ACI) have this evening signed a partnership agreement committing to provide support to governments and the private sector in realising the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The agreement was signed by Frank Matsaert, TMA CEO and Ali Mufuruki, Regional Chair, AfroChampions Initiative (ACI). Both organisations have a common interest in building partnerships that promote economic integration as a strategic growth driver for the African continent. The areas of mutual agreement in the partnership include private sector engagement, strategic advocacy with governments and the private sector and improving access to information. Speaking at the event, TMA CEO Frank Matsaert said, “We are delighted in partnering with ACI to help support the realisation of the largest trade agreement which will increase Africa’s trade, increase GDPs and create jobs. TMA, is excited to lend its expertise in supporting the realisation of this dream.” AfroChampions Initiative Regional Chair, Ali Mufuruki said, “AfroChampions is looking forward to engaging further with TMA to promote the AfCFTA to showcase what a successful Africa will look like and to identify benefits of increased intra-continental trade that can be shared between citizens and countries.” TMA and ACI will leverage their expertise in trade facilitation to foster cooperation between African private operators across the continent. The two organisations will identify projects of regional or pan-African importance that require investment from African or foreign investors.  Both TMA and ACI will then promote and participate in the successful projects which will...

Dar es salaam, Tanzania -17th December 2018 – Ireland launched a new partnership worth €1 million (Tsh 2.6 billion) with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to facilitate increased trade for Tanzania. TradeMark Africa’s work in Tanzania centres on strengthening the environment for trade and business, with a focus on increased physical access to markets; building an enhanced regulatory environment for trade; and promoting improved business competitiveness. This will be Ireland’s first grant to TradeMark Africa (TMA) and it is expected that further support will be provided over the coming three years. The Embassy of Ireland’s grant to TradeMark Africa complements its investment, announced in September, of an additional €2.76 million (Tsh 7.32 trillion) to improve income opportunities within Tanzania’s agriculture sector. The partnership was launched by Ambassador Paul Sherlock and John Ulanga, Country Director, TradeMark Africa (TMA) Tanzania at TMA’s offices in Dar Es Salaam. Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Sherlock, underlined the importance of trade for sustainable economic growth: “Over the past 50 years, Ireland has evolved from being a relatively closed economy to one of the most open economies in the world. This experience has transformed our country beyond recognition. As a small open economy, trade and investment have become fundamental to achieving sustainable growth in Ireland and quality jobs for all our citizens.” Increased trade is a powerful means by which to stimulate economic growth and job creation in Tanzania and it will need to be a central priority if Tanzania is to achieve its target of becoming a middle-income country by 2025.” Ambassador Sherlock also emphasised the importance of TradeMark Africa’s work over the coming six months in supporting the...

Nairobi– December 13th, 2018 – The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have signed an MOU which is aimed at boosting trade in East Africa through collaboration on Trade and Gender, Trade Facilitation, trade portals, enquiry points and transport related infrastructure. Speaking during the contribution agreement signing ceremony in Nairobi, the Secretary General for UNCTAD Dr Mukhisa Kituyi said: “UNCTAD has supported the institutional architecture of trade facilitation in the East Africa region for many years,” Dr Kituyi said. “For example, we have helped launch trade portals, which simplify trade procedures and reduce the time and cost of trade transactions in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – and soon in Tanzania.” Frank Matsaert, CEO of TradeMark Africa (TMA) said “since 2010 we have had strong partnership with the EAC Secretariat and Partner States to increase trade and deepen the regional integration agenda through investment in hard and soft trade infrastructure. Together with UNCTAD, we look forward to continued partnership and support to the region’s trade facilitation agenda as highlighted in the Ministerial declaration”. The signing ceremony was done at the side-lines of a special EAC ministerial summit held during the first UNCTAD Africa eCommerce Week and moderated by UNCTAD Secretary General, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda agreed today to make trade between them and with other countries cheaper, faster and simpler in a significant boost for economic integration in East Africa and continental trade facilitation. Representatives of...

Kampala- November 30th, 2018 - TradeMark Africa (TMA) has been recognised by H.E. President Yoweri Museveni for its contribution in supporting Uganda’s middle-income status and vision 2040. TMA has received “The Best International Infrastructure Supporting Organization Visionary Award 2018”. At a colourful ceremony held in Kampala, TMA, a multi-donor agency was granted the award for supporting hard and soft infrastructure trade facilitation programmes that continue to contribute to an improved business environment in Uganda. The award was presented to the TMAs acting Uganda Country Director, Damali Ssali by H.E. Hon. Edward Ssekkandi, Vice President of Uganda and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon Henry Okello Oryem. Speaking at the event the Vice President H.E. Hon Edward Ssekkandi noted, “TradeMark Africa is one of our valued partners. We commend it for its speed of implementation and willingness to listen to and respond to our priorities. TMA’s new strategy augers well with government plans of raising Uganda’s profile and increasing our export competitiveness.” Key highlights of achievements. Construction and operationalisation of the One Stop Border Posts at Busia, Mutukula, Mirama Hills and Elegu: TMA provided funding for the construction of the OSBPs at Busia, Malaba, Mutukula and Elegu and is supporting lead agencies to implement the project on time and ensure quality of the infrastructure. TMA has recorded an average of 70% reduction of time to cross selected borders reducing the time and cost to import and export products into or out of Uganda. This ensures prices of products have...