Group photograph of TMA Board Member, Sanjay Rughani (third from left), and TMA’s Regional Director for East and Central Africa, Monica Hangi (second from left), with a delegation of business leaders from across East Africa and senior government officials. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 22 February 2025: Business leaders from across East Africa convened at Dar es Salaam Port to assess progress on reforms and engage with senior government officials on trade challenges. Organised by the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) and TradeMark Africa (TMA), with support from Ireland, UK International Development, and Norway, the high-level mission comes hot on the heels of the signing of a €15 million, four-year European Union-funded programme with the Government of Tanzania. The initiative seeks to improve port efficiency, facilitate trade, and modernise urban mobility across East and Central Africa’s trade corridors. The Port of Dar es Salaam handles 95 per cent of Tanzania’s international trade and serves as a critical gateway for landlocked economies, including Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Tanzania Ports Authority, 2024). Yet, inefficiencies - long cargo clearance times, high logistics costs, and infrastructure constraints have over years impeded trade efficiencies and competitiveness. East Africa’s transport costs remain among the highest globally, estimated at 60–70 per cent above international benchmarks (African Development Bank, 2024), making regional trade costly and less competitive. Recognising these challenges, the European Union-backed project, implemented by TMA, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, and UN-Habitat, with management support from Enabel, is introducing digital customs...

Bujumbura, Burundi – February 20th, 2025: A new market access project for enterprises in Burundi, dubbed UGUSHORA (to sell/export in Kirundi), has been launched to support economic development and job creation in the country by supporting export-oriented investments and businesses. The project is funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Burundi and implemented by the TRAIDE Foundation in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA). The €1.95 million 2-year initiative will build partnerships between local and Dutch companies, unlock investments and promote innovation in horticulture, fisheries, and essential oils, and enhance market linkages to regional and international market hubs. This is designed to catalyse the global competitiveness of Burundian products by focusing on value chain development in priority sectors, addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs), and promoting trade facilitation through technical assistance to businesses. The project will also support the harmonisation of private sector initiatives, create a conducive business and investment environment, and strengthen commercial ties to attract regional and international interest in Burundi. The project aligns with the Government of Burundi’s national development priorities, supporting the country’s vision for socio-economic growth and development by enhancing trade, economic diversification, and job creation, according to Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry, and Tourism, H.E. Marie Chantal Nijimbere. Underscoring the pressing need for such interventions to improve market access for local producers, the minister said: “One of the major barriers our producers, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face is limited market access due to inadequate technology and investment, non-compliance with production standards, inadequate...

Zanzibar, Tanzania 20 February 2025: The Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS), in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and with funding from UK International Development, Ireland, and Norway, has launched the Integrated Standardisation, Quality Assurance, Metrology, and Testing (iSQMT) system that will significantly streamline certification, product testing, and compliance services for businesses. The system is set to reduce the time taken for product certification by at least 40%, lower compliance costs, and enhance efficiency in standardisation. By ensuring that products meet national, regional, and international standards, it will increase market access for Zanzibar’s businesses, improve consumer safety, and strengthen the island’s trade competitiveness. Export rejection rates across Africa average 20% due to non-compliance with quality regulations (UNCTAD, 2023). Previously, businesses in Zanzibar faced delays and high costs in obtaining product certification, often relying on external testing services. The iSQMT system eliminates these inefficiencies, providing a fully automated platform that simplifies processes, reduces paperwork, and improves service delivery. With approximately 70% of informal traders in Zanzibar being women (World Bank, 2022), the system will particularly benefit small-scale entrepreneurs by enabling them to access certification more easily and integrate into formal trade. H.E. Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, Second Vice President of Zanzibar, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative while launching the platform, stating: "For Zanzibar to thrive in a competitive regional and global economy, our products must meet the highest quality benchmarks. The launch of the iSQMT system is a major step in reducing trade barriers and ensuring compliance with international standards, strengthening...

Uganda is set to build its first climate-resilient market at Elegu, backed by funding from the European Union and Denmark. The facility will host up to 1500 trader and will be designed to endure extreme weather disruptions, particularly flooding, which has long plagued the border town. The announcement was made yesterday during the Uganda-EU Business Insights Conference in Kampala. Situated at Uganda’s crossing point with South Sudan, Elegu facilitates trade worth millions between Uganda and its neighbours; in 2022/2023 for example, trade through Elegu was approximately $220 million with South Sudan, with these figures continuing to grow according to the Uganda Revenue Authority. However, the area is hit by floods during the two rainy seasons each year, delaying the movement of goods, including humanitarian cargo, sweeping away stalls and submerging goods in the market, thereby causing immeasurable losses to small scale cross border traders, as reported in this Global Report Journal. Various survey reports indicate that market infrastructure is poorly equipped to cope with such extreme weather events, and traders have repeatedly protested over inadequate sanitation and water facilities, which have led to disease outbreaks. The development will include flood mitigation measures spanning 11 acres, a new climate resilient market building with trading spaces for up to 1,500 traders, solar power, fire protection systems, and improved waste management including water supply systems. About 70% of traders in Elegu are women, and the market will incorporate childcare facilities to support their participation in trade. Infrastructure upgrades will also improve accessibility for...

Nairobi, February 11, 2025 – TradeMark Africa (TMA) has appointed Ms. Lillian Mwai Ndegwa as the Country Director for its Kenya Programme signalling a renewed push to implement its new multi-million-dollar strategy in support of Kenya’s goal of expanding its exports, leverage Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and attract high-value investments, placing her at the forefront of these efforts. With over 15 years of experience in international development, Ms. Ndegwa is set to lead initiatives that will enhance market access, reduce trade barriers and promote sustainable economic growth with a focus on creating a conducive Business Environment and Export Enhancement. A pilot project for this is the initiative funded by the EU and implemented in partnership with the Government of Kenya, targeting to shift atleast 50% of Kenya’s horticultural exports from air to sea, to help secure export markets and reduce its transport costs. Her appointment comes as TMA embarks on its third strategic plan (2023–2030), which will support inclusive, green, and digital trade initiatives. Under this strategy, Kenya Country Programme has already forged partnerships with government agencies like Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Ports Authorities to automate trade processes for faster clearance of exports; as well as the private sector to facilitate them in increasing the value and quality of export goods. This builds on over a decade of close collaboration between TMA, the Government of Kenya and the private sector, which has contributed to significantly reduced dwell-times at Mombasa port, faster passage through Busia and other border posts,...

Unveiling of the Revamped Single Customs Territory Centralised Platform Enhances Regional Trade Arusha, January 27, 2025: The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has launched the upgraded Single Customs Territory (SCT) Centralised Platform, a tool designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of customs and trade data in real-time among interconnected Partner States' Customs and Ports Authorities. The unveiling took place at the EAC Secretariat Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, coinciding with the celebration of International Customs Day, themed "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity." EAC Secretary General H.E. Veronica Nduva, who officiated the launch, emphasized the platform’s importance in advancing regional integration and boosting trade. "The Single Customs Territory was established in 2014 to simplify, automate, and expedite the movement of goods across the EAC. The Centralised Platform is a key element of the SCT framework. By enabling real-time sharing of customs information, this platform addresses challenges such as customs clearance delays, non-tariff barriers, high transaction costs, and inefficiencies in cross-border trade," she said. Initially implemented in 2017, the platform has evolved to support transactions related to intra-regional trade, exports to global markets, transit goods, and the issuance of certificates of origin. In 2023, the platform was upgraded to include maritime trade, previously handled through a bilateral integration model. It also features management tools for Regional Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) and regional clearing agents for mutual recognition. The latest addition in 2024, supported by the UK and Netherlands governments, introduces scanner image sharing between Kenya and Uganda, enhancing...

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22 January 2025 – The Ethio-Logistics Sectoral Association (ELSA), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA), is hosting a two-day conference aimed at improving trade and addressing barriers within the Ethiopia-Djibouti trade corridor. Supported by the European Union (EU) through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the conference, which began yesterday, concludes today, 22 January 2025, with a follow-up event scheduled for April in Djibouti. Dr Kassahun Gofe, the Minister of Trade and Regional Integration “Ministry of trade is committed to implement measures that enhance business opportunities and promote trade. We will continue creating an environment that encourages growth and prosperity for all as we advance regional business integration.” This conference highlights the critical role of the Ethio-Djibouti corridor, which handles 90% of Ethiopia’s foreign trade. Three years ago, the EU launched a €32 million programme in partnership with AFD and TMA to enhance the corridor’s efficiency, reduce trade costs, and streamline cross-border transactions. The initiative has focused on trade facilitation, major value chain support, and sustainable, inclusive trade practices, particularly benefiting women traders and vulnerable groups. Key projects under this programme include the implementation of a Fleet Management System, alignment with WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement standards, and the improvement of Ethio-Djibouti Corridor Management. On the Ethiopian side, efforts include enhancing logistics competitiveness, promoting AfCFTA awareness, deploying an e-Phyto certification system, and strengthening the corridor’s coordination and management. Collectively, these initiatives aim to position the corridor as a model of efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity in African trade. The...

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 13 December 2024 – The Government of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), has launched a €15 million, four-year project funded by the European Union to enhance the efficiency of the Dar es Salaam Port, improve trade facilitation, and transform urban mobility across East and Central Africa’s trade corridors. The initiative, implemented by TradeMark Africa (TMA), the Port of Antwerp, and UN- Habitat, with management support from Enabel, seeks to address significant barriers to trade and transport along the Dar and Central Corridors. As a critical gateway for Tanzania and its landlocked neighbours, the Dar es Salaam Port plays a vital role in regional trade. However, persistent inefficiencies and barriers have hindered its ability to operate at full potential. This project directly addresses these challenges through an integrated approach focusing on port optimisation, trade facilitation, and urban mobility enhancements. The signing ceremony, held at the Tanzania Ports Authority’s Headquarters on 11 December 2024, brought together high-level representatives from the European Union, TPA, and the Ministries of Transport and Finance, underpinning the strong partnerships driving this ambitious undertaking. Plasduce Mbossa, Director General of Tanzania Ports Authority, expressed confidence in the initiative: "We commend the partnership dedicated to enhancing the performance of the Port of Dar es Salaam. We are optimistic that this project will deliver transformative interventions to improve the port's operations and efficiency. Our gratitude goes to the European Union for funding this vital initiative. TPA will remain committed to supporting effective implementation of this...

Over 300 leaders of business and governments at Africa Trade Development Forum 2024 make unanimous call Kigali, Rwanda — December 10, 2024 — The Africa Trade Development Forum 2024 wrapped up in Kigali on the 2 to 3 December, with unanimous calls to invest in digital infrastructure for trade, and particularly the move to No-Stop Borders across Africa’s main trade and transport corridors. With a theme focused on “Unlocking Africa’s Trade Potential Through Digital Innovation,” the forum called  for rapid advancements in digital trade across the continent under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Area Digital trade protocol. The event was supported and graced by Rwandan Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, The Secretary General of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) H.E Wamkele Mene and Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi among other government ministers, development partners and leaders of multilateral institutions. The Africa Trade Development Forum saw experts dive deep into varied discussions from distributed ledger technology for trade to building of smart corridors across Africa’s main trade and transport corridors, so as to facilitate trade and economic growth in Africa. "We’ve started conversations that will lead to tangible improvements in how trade is conducted across our borders. Digitalisation provides us opportunity to integrate MSMEs and small businesses into the digital economy, enabling them to access global markets and drive Africa’s trade agenda forward,” said H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn. Main discussions from the conference included: Smoother border processes through digital infrastructure enhancements across border points and...

Dar es Salaam, 6 December 2024: Tanzania’s trade and investment ecosystem is at a crucial juncture, with the private sector contributing 33% to GDP and over 80% of formal employment, according to World Bank data. The Annual Trade and Investment Dialogue 2024 convened more than 400 business leaders, policymakers, and development partners to address critical challenges and define strategies to strengthen the nation’s economy. Under the theme “Enhancing Efficiency in Sub-National Dialogue and Export Competitiveness for a Thriving Economy”, the event was co-hosted by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA) and TradeMark Africa (TMA), with funding from UK International Development, Ireland, and Norway. The dialogue featured Hon. Doto Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, who reinforced the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable trade and investment through public-private collaboration. Hon. Biteko, speaking as Guest of Honour, called for stronger partnerships to drive economic growth. “Tanzania’s trade potential is vast, but unlocking it requires a deliberate partnership between the private sector and government. Our vision is to position Tanzania as a trade and investment hub by creating an environment that promotes industrialisation and sustainable, inclusive growth,” he stated. The dialogue addressed export competitiveness, structural challenges, and inefficiencies in dialogue mechanisms, with discussions focusing on empowering regional chambers, supporting local businesses, and positioning Tanzania as a competitive player in regional and global markets. According to TCCIA data, Tanzania’s export market share in East Africa is 14%, highlighting significant room for growth. The event provided a platform for stakeholders...