AEO programme in its 2nd $300k Project has been financed by USAID Rwanda. The AEO programme at regional level started in 2008 and ended in 2013 under pilot Phase I. 13 Operators were accredited of which 3 are Rwandans. Project is part of broader trade facilitation measures that includes the electronic single window, regional cargo tracking system and single customs territory. Kigali, Rwanda, 28th September 2017 - Rwanda revenue Authority (RRA) have signed MOU’s and awarded certificates of recognition to twenty-two (22) companies in Rwanda who have been granted special customs status as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). The event was witnessed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Vincent Munyeshyaka, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Commissioner General, Richard Tusabe, Acting USAID Mission Director Leslie Marbury, TradeMark Africa (TMA) Country Director, Patience Mutesi, Private Sector Federation Chairman Benjamin Gasamagera and several business leaders. Speaking at the recognition ceremony, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Vincent Munyeshyaka commended the companies that had attained the special status. “They have consistently demonstrated a very high commitment to comply with customs regulations and security procedures” he said. “An AEO certified company for example is not subject to physical inspections, queuing or immediate audits” The AEO concept is part of a broader compliance strategy to reward compliant traders with simplification benefits.  This reward and encourages compliance and stimulates foreign trade which contributes to economic growth at the national and regional levels. An AEO in Rwanda is an individual, a business entity or government department that is involved in international trade and is duly authorized by the Commissioner of...

Nairobi, 31th August 2017:  South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) stands to benefit from training and technical expertise of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two institutions. The MOU will promote cooperation in standardization, conformity assessment and training and will provide framework and mechanism for bilateral cooperation while facilitating mutual trade. KEBS having been in operation for longer time bring a wealth of expertise while SSNBS though new, has shown steady growth and progress. The MOU was facilitated by TradeMark Africa. (TMA) TMA has supported both SSNBS and KEBS in acquisition of expertise and modern equipment as well as harmonisation of standards.  In South Sudan, TMA with funding from UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) supported the South Sudan government to set up standards bureau including defining governing policies, setting up of laboratories and training.  TMA provided essential testing and metrology equipment (US$1.6 million), refurbishment of chemical and microbiological testing laboratories (US$120,000), technical staff training and support in developing a human resources management system.  In Kenya, TMA has supported KEBS with up to US$1.7 million for modern testing equipment’s and training. The MOU has been undertaken in the spirit of regional integration.

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...

Nairobi, 6th July 2017: TradeMark Africa and the International Organization for Migration have entered into a partnership agreement that will facilitate faster clearance of migrants at border posts. The two organizations will soon implement a border project in the Great Lakes region with roll out to other areas expected in future. The partnership will provide integrated solutions for the safe and orderly movement of people and goods across international borders.  Under the partnership the organizations, in conjunction with government agencies, will provide integrated border management processes that will cover customs and standards, and also human mobility. As a trade facilitation organisation, TMA has enabled interventions across the 6 East African countries that contribute to boosting trade in goods and services.  It has facilitated construction of 13 One Stop Border Posts and adoption of one stop controls that bring border officials from neighbouring countries under one roof, enabling those crossing the border to stop only once in the country of destination. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need.   TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA....

The project is carried out in collaboration between TCCIA and ZNCCIA. The project started in 2012 at TCCIA and was then extended to ZNCCIA in 2016. TMA has already invested more than $600,000 in the project (TCCIA & ZNCCIA). ZNCCIA has benefitted from ICT equipment to operationalize the system, solar system as a backup power for the system, consultancy to develop the system and a Technical Assistant to coordinate the project. Zanzibar, Tanzania, 15th May, 2017 – Trade efficiency systems in Zanzibar is expected to become efficient with launch of an NTB monitoring and electronic certificate of origin systems by the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (ZNCCIA). Both systems have been supported by TradeMark Africa (TMA). The two systems have been developed as part of efforts by the Zanzibar private sector to facilitate advocacy and monitoring of NTBs. The launch was graced by the Zanzibar Minister of Trade, Industry and Marketing, Honorable Amina Salum Ali, ZNCCIA Executive Director, Ms. Munira Humoud and TMA Tanzania Country Director, John Ulanga. The two systems will support ZNCCIA in fulfilling its goals of improving the business environment in Zanzibar by developing evidence based advocacy through realistic data and information gathered by the aid of the NTB monitoring system. The electronic certificate of origin will ease the issuance of certificates of origin by reducing physical movements and time taken to process the document. The target is to reduce the time for issuance of the certificates from the current four days to just...

The modern market facilities will not only bring order to one of Rwanda’s largest cross border markets, but will also facilitate reduction in time taken for informal trade across the border UKAID through TradeMark Africa (TMA) is funding Rusizi Cross Border market facilities with grant of USD 2.2 Million. The two story modern market facilities will facilitate a 25% increase in volume of exports, amounting approximately USD 4.62m exports, within first year of operation and reduce informal traders’ business costs while increasing their incomes. Facilities will be ready for use within 12 months. Rusizi, Rwanda, February 21st 2017: Construction of new and modern cross border market facilities worth USD2.2 million has commenced in Rusizi at the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following today’s ground breaking ceremony. Hon. Francois Kanimba, the Minister for Trade, Industry and East African Affairs (MINEACOM) presided over the event. The development will benefit thousands of Rwandans who trade across the border with DRC informally, who already make a significant contribution to Rwanda’s economy with an estimated trade value of US$ 85 million in 2015. More than one third of the total informal cross border trade in Rwanda goes through Rusizi. Trade through Rusizi grew by 48% between 2013 and 2014.This investment will therefore bring further economic gains for both traders and the Government of Rwanda. Addressing the crowd at the border, Hon. Kanimba noted: “Cross border trade with DRC amounts to $100 million annually with approximately $30 million going through Rusizi. Cross...

The report proposes facilitating investments in the greater Imbo region Bujumbura, 20th April 2017: TradeMark Africa proposes to adapt its engagement in Burundi by investing in projects that strengthen new export potential value chains, enhance cross border trade and increase the country’s participation in the regional market.  The institution has identified a specific location in the country through geo-spatial methods where interventions will be implemented with the overall vision of improving the country’s trade balance in a phased manner, create jobs for traders and distributors and reduce poverty. TMA has identified the ‘Greater Imbo Region’ as the location to implement its new programming. This is the zone stretching from Cibitoke in the North of Burundi bordering Rwanda, to Makamba in the South neighbouring Tanzania. TMA banks its investment on the potential of the Imbo Region which contributes 30 percent of Burundi’s staple crop production, 70 percent of fish stock and distribution, 30 percent of livestock and 45 percent of national milk production. Aime Nzoyihera, Acting Country Director for Burundi underlined that “The Growth Hub programme seeks to diversify exports through cross-border with DRC and the EAC neighbouring countries, create employment and increase income for the people in the selected sub-sectors.” The region is also rich in tropical fruit plantations such as pineapple, passion fruit, mandarin, mangoes, and tomatoes. The area also grows palm trees which is used to produce oil for cooking and soap manufacturing. The rich natural resources supports and holds potential to increase economic activity in the region...

DANIDA providing additional USD5.5 million to extend Electronic Single Window which was launched in November 2016 with 6 Government agencies on board Kampala, 5th April 2017: An additional 16 government agencies involved in clearing international trade documents will be linked to the Uganda Electronic Single Window (ESW) as phase two of the system commences. This brings to total, 23 government agencies that will be in the single window. The announcement was made yesterday by East Africa’s leading trade facilitation agency, TradeMark Africa, as it signed an MOU with DANIDA Uganda, to receive additional funds of USD5.5 Million for the expansion of the Uganda Electronic Single Window. This brings DANIDA’s total investment in the project to USD 10.5 million. An electronic single window system enables international (cross-border) traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location. It enhances clearance efficiency and reduces time taken to clear cargo by enhancing sharing and exchange of information between customs, other border agencies and private sector stakeholders. Speaking at the signing ceremony, The Danish Ambassador in Uganda Mogens Pedersen said “ I commend the Government of Uganda for supporting initiatives that lead to reduction of costs of doing business. And especially its partnership with TMA which has ensured successful implementation of projects that the impact big and small businesses and especially women specifically. Such good will encourages us to support these initiatives.” Annette Mutaawe, TMA Chief Strategy and Results Officer said “DANIDA support to TMA is greatly appreciated, when the ESW is fully implemented it will reduce...

TradeMark Africa (TMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to facilitate projects that will improve cross border trade and enhance trade links between the country and East Africa Community member states. With the MOU in force, TMA, a leading trade facilitation institution, will replicate and consolidate its success in contributing to the ease of trading across borders and in this case, by investing in already available resources like water transport, simplifying trade processes through training and facilitating adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) around Eastern DRC.  The government of the Netherlands made a commitment of USD 6.7Million to kick-start the projects. The projects will comprise dredging and rehabilitation of Kalundu port on Lake Tanganyika, support to cross border trade which will include capacity building and implementation of Integrated Border Management systems on the border crossings in Rusizi between Rwanda and Bukavu; rehabilitation of the Ports of Kasenyi (DRC) and Ntoroko (Uganda) and finally infrastructure work at the border crossing at Goli (Uganda) Mahagi (DRC). TMA involvement with DRC consolidate the benefits accrued from similar intervention it has facilitated in East Africa and especially along the regions’ main transport routes including the Northern Corridor from Mombasa linking Uganda, Rwanda, DRC and South Sudan. And  Central Corridor, connecting Dar es salaam port to Rwanda, Burundi, and  Eastern DRC by road and lake transport. During a visit to State House after the signing ceremony the DRC Directeur du Cabinet, at State House Prof. Nehemie Wilondja, stated that...

Kigali, March 24th 2017: The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA} has today commissioned the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), joining its partners in Kenya and Uganda. The system connects the three countries electronic cargo tracking systems, enabling them to jointly track cargo from port to destination on a twenty-four-hour basis. The RECTS is expected to enhance cargo security and curb diversions which will ultimately reduce transit time, cost of cargo transportation and enhance transparency as all stakeholders will have access to the system. The commissioning of RECTS follows a July 3rd 2014 directive by the Northern Corridor Heads of State Summit in Kigali, compelling Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to embrace joint e-monitoring of transit cargo along the corridor through a harmonized system to enable seamless flow of cargo. Speaking during the event, Richard Tusabe, RRA Commissioner General, said: "From a tax administration perspective, we are going to see improved revenues because the revenue leakage is going to be mitigated but also it's going to allow us to give more confidence to the business community to trade with ease without the 'manual processes that we've been trying to apply." RECTS has been supported by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID} through Trademark East Africa (TMA). Speaking at the event, the DFID Rwanda Head of Office, Sally Waples, said: "The UK is truly excited about the role that the RECTS will have in reducing the cost of doing business across East Africa and harnessing Rwanda's trade potential." Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda will seal loopholes that lead to revenue loss because of diversion of un-taxed goods...