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...

Kigali, Rwanda, 20 November - A transformative African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) requires the full inclusion and participation of the continent’s women, says Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Deputy Executive Secretary, Giovanie Biha. Speaking Tuesday night at a high-level roundtable dinner on “Harnessing the AfCFTA for Gender Equality” that was co-organized by ECA and TradeMark Africa (TMA), Ms. Biha said continental integration was pivotal to Africa’s economic transformation, but it could only be done with the full inclusion of women, both in the formal and informal sectors. She said the signing of the AfCFTA in March 2018 set the stage for the integration of the African continent into a single market. “It is crucial to ensure that all its citizens, especially women, are involved in the continental free trade area implementation,” said Ms. Biha, adding the AfCFTA will open new opportunities for women, and help them integrate more fully into productive, high-paid sectors of the economy. She said economies with better opportunities for women were more competitive and would benefit more from openness than economies that were less friendly to female participation. “Enhanced opportunities for women lead to improvements in human development outcomes, poverty reduction and accelerated rates of economic growth,” she added. TMA Chief Executive Officer, Frank Matsaert, for his part, said, “Research has shown that if women’s paid employment were raised to the same level as men’s, the pa capita income of 15 major economies would rise by 14% by 2020. Our work across East Africa is...

Kigali, Rwanda, 19 November - With an average growth rate of 6.7% between 2013 and 2017 - double the African average - East Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, accompanied by rapid social improvements. Average life expectancy has increased by 5.3 years over the past decade, with some countries registering historically unprecedented gains (e.g. 8.5 years in Kenya and Rwanda). “There are of course still many challenges – chief amongst them being the need for faster job creation for the rapidly growing population – but on balance progress has been impressive. Life expectancy is a good general indicator of living standards, and the pace of change is one of the fastest in history”, said Andrew Mold, the Acting Director of the ECA in Eastern Africa, presenting an overview of economic and social developments in the region at the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts, ICE. The three-day meeting takes place in Kigali, Rwanda, and gathers more than 250 economic stakeholders and decision makers of 14 countries in East Africa. In 2019, the region is expected to grow at 6.2%, thanks to sustained public and private investment, renewed optimisim in the Horn of Africa, and the opening up of new trade opportunities under the AfCFTA. Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana noted that “ In many aspects, the Eastern Africa region has been leading continental trends – be it in terms of economic progress but also social – with...

Kigali, 6th November 2018:  The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have today signed an agreement that aims to help build the capacity of Rwandan businesses to tap into international and regional markets.   The support, worth USD $2.4 million, aims to link 40 local producers of non- traditional exports to new markets by 2023 by providing business advisory services for export-ready companies. Furthermore, Rwandan university graduates will be placed in mentorship programmes to build their capacity in trade policy and export development. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the outcomes of the programme. The support from TMA is part of the USD $50 million Memorandum of Understanding signed between TMA and the Government of Rwanda early this year.  The funding to RDB is being provided by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through TMA. Speaking during the signing ceremony, RDB Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Hategeka said, “the partnership with TMA couldn’t have come at a better time. Supporting local exporters will increase employment opportunities for Rwandans while at the same time helping to reduce Rwanda’s trade deficit.” Explaining the new partnership, TMA Country Director Ms. Patience Mutesi-Gatera said, “Growing Rwandan exports and getting Rwandan companies to compete at the international markets may seem complex. We believe it is possible with collaboration, and that is why we have renewed our partnership with RDB to especially support the Rwanda National Export Strategy. Our...