[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Logistics innovation for Trade (LIFT)" implementor="Nathan Associates London Ltd" target_group="Innovators, Transporters, Cargo owners, Logistics Industry Players" project_value="US$ 14,114,000" implementation_period="1st July 2014 – 30th June 2019" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"] Freight and transport costs in East Africa are among the highest in the world, with an estimation of them being at 50% higher per kilometer compared to Europe and the USA. These costs erode the competitiveness of goods exported by East African countries, raise the cost of living and put a brake on development activities in the region. For East African landlocked countries, transport costs can be as high as 75% of the value of exports. In the end, it is the producers or a business that suffers the consequences of high transport costs and inefficiencies. The World Bank estimates that high transit costs reduce growth rates by up to 1% per annum and account for 40% of the higher consumer prices paid across the region of more than 250 million people. The institution also posits that transit times have the most significant effect on exports. Yet, studies further estimate that a reduction of one day in transit times leads to a 7% increase in export Trade is growing up to 8% per annum across the region and economic growth is picking up. However, this growth will be constrained if the transport and logistics sector remains inefficient. Therefore, reducing the cost and time of transport and logistics should be a priority. Streamlining this sector will contribute to increasing trade,...

The overall objective of the SG’s CEO Forum is to provide the Secretary General of the East African Community and CEOs of businesses in the region a platform for continuous dialogue to ensure that the integration process works for business and trade, EAC competitiveness, and ultimately economic growth.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Search for Common Ground (Phase II)" implementor="Search for Common Ground" target_group="Small traders and Border officials" project_value="US$ 200,000" implementation_period="2013 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Burundi, as other East African economies, has a large informal trade sector, non-integrated with the formal economy and large business. Informal trade across borders is most often important to rural livelihoods, managed by individuals with a daily profit of under $50 per day. A 2009 study by the African Trade Policy Centre shows that informal cross border traders across the region do not use available formal systems/structures for most of their transactions. This makes it difficult for regional trade policy initiatives such as those under the EAC and its Customs Union Protocol to have any significant impact on this informal trade. The traders show little evidence of knowledge regarding the EAC Customs Protocol and even less motivation to use it to facilitate trading activities. What: The objective of this project is to improve the relationships between small traders and border officials. How: Trade Mark East Africa will provide support to Search for Common Ground (SFCG) to implement a second phase of the project. Contact: Alice Nibitanga, Email: [email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42316" image_2="42830"]Improved relationships between small traders and border officials which contribute to improved trade climate & governance in Burundi and around the EAC community.[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="project-insight"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of...

Giving a voice to the Rwandan civil society in the EAC.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Fresh produce small holders EAGAP certification" implementor="The Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK)" target_group="Farmers" project_value="US$ 697,653" implementation_period="2012 - 2015" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Smallholder farmers in East Africa continue to face huge challenges in complying with market standards, which in turn affects the marketability of their produce. Among these challenges has been the low access to Good Agriculture Practice information, in part as a result of the existing standards being presented in a foreign language (English), thereby locking out a large percentage of the regions small scale farmers. What: This project is therefore aimed at developing a localized version of GlobalGAP (Good Agric. Practices) called East Africa GAP (EAGAP) that is available in Swahili. Developing auditors and trainers on EAGAP and supporting groups of farmers producing fresh produce in each of the East African countries to become certified in EAGAP. Certification will increase the selling price earned by smallholder farmers. How: TMA is providing funding to Fresh produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) to facilitate domestication of good agricultural practices by horticulture farmers in East Africa. This project will be coordinated by FPEAK, but implemented in respective countries through established horticulture associations/organizations. Contact: Simon Konzolo: [email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42358" image_2="42242"]Adoption of market and good agricultural practice standards by the region’s horticultural growers. This will in turn increase East African products competitiveness.[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element="yes"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops &...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Trade Policy: National Export Strategy" implementor="Ministry of Trade, Kenya" target_group="Kenya" project_value="£ 5,700,000" implementation_period="2019-2023" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Working to implement the national export strategy (NES) action plan will increase Kenya’s exports share in the target regional and global market through a sustained production of goods and services for target export markets. This complements TMA’s planned work across the trade and logistics clusters and the greater export capability work. What: Partnership with the Ministry of Trade to implement the national export strategy action plan by providing technical assistance to conduct market research on prioritised sections and to establish a delivery unit to implement the NES. How: TMA will work with the ministry to ensure that the integrated national export strategy action plan is implemented. These are the following priorities in the greater trade policy project: i)Dissemination of the Export Strategy at the national and county levels ii)Prioritisation and development of NES action plans for implementation iii)Establishment of a delivery unit for NES iv)Procure TAs for sector working groups Market research on prioritised sectors Contact: Joshua Mutunga, Email: [email protected] [/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42084" image_2="42057"]i) Improved market access to Kenyan exports ii)Enhanced diversification of products and markets in targeted sectors for Kenyan exports[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_2="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_3="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock"][single_project_content]Key outputs include; Burundi NMC National Coordinator is...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Uganda Shippers Council – Reduction in cargo transit time and costs for shippers." implementor="Uganda Shippers Council (USC)" target_group="Shippers, transporters, exporters, clearing agents" project_value="US$130,000" implementation_period="2014 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]African economies generally have the highest trade logistics costs in the world and the EAC is not an exception to this trend. In a recent study, estimates for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda placed the average cost of trade logistics services at the equivalent of a tax of between 25 and 40% on value-added. The key factor for the ability of a country to participate in supply chains is the efficiency of local trade facilitation and logistics services. Improving logistics performance and facilitating trade have been estimated to have positive effects in expanding country trade, increasing trade impacts of lowering remaining border barriers by a factor of two or more. For landlocked countries to increase exports, infrastructure to facilitate rapid entry is required. However, landlocked countries are challenged by a lack of sites for production, low level of skills and high costs of power. What: This project aims to enhance competitiveness in the supply chain for importers and exporters (cargo owners) in Uganda by constantly engaging with regional transport policy makers to effectively advocate for a reliable logistics environment and participating in negotiations to reduce the cost of doing business for shippers in this country. The project will develop position papers for advocacy on auxiliary costs affecting Uganda shippers, policy brief on cheaper, alternative transport system, improve compliance by shippers...

[vc_row][vc_column][rev_slider slidertitle="Market Linkages Programme – KIVUs Region" alias="market-linkages-programme-kivus-region"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Market Linkages Programme – KIVUs Region" project_value="US $ 300,000" implementation_period="(Start date) - (Expected end date)October 2017 - December 2020"]The aim of the project is to reduce the DRC growing trade deficit with its EAC neighbors. To achieve this, TMA is funding an integrated export development programme implemented in Eastern DRC comprising mainly (i) Export Capacity Programme : export audit leading to the development of an export action plan for 20 qualified companies;(ii) Export adviser initiative: 6 month programme of training and hands-on coaching and mentoring in the field of 15 local export advisers; (ii)Market linkages programme: focused market research followed by tailored sales missions for 10-15 companies targeting selected EAC/regional markets. Responsibility Center : 42_DRC Project approval summary: 1. PAR approval date: June 2016 PAR number: DRC CBT PAR 2. PAR approval authority: Board NB/ If the project is above $250,000 a PAR must be submitted for approval[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element="yes" el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42084" image_2="42057"]1. Reduced barriers to trade in selected sub-sectors in Burundi (Fisheries, palm products and fruits) and greater inclusion of women in trade. 2. Improved export capabilities in fisheries, palm and fruits sub-sectors[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element="yes"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_2="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_3="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock"][single_project_content]Key outputs include; Burundi NMC National Coordinator is recruited [/single_project_content][single_project_content]Burundi NMC National Strategy is developed and...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Forum for Strengthening Civil Society-Phase II" implementor="Forum for the Reinforcement of the Civil Society (FORSC)" target_group="Traders in Burundi" project_value="US$128,000" implementation_period="2014 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Burundi being seen as the weakest link of the group of the East African Countries, the majority of Burundians are still up to now asking on the process on the chances of success of Burundi in that new dynamic of regional integration. Thus, periodic analysis of impacts at various levels, on the opportunities and ways to take full advantage of this integration and in a progressive way remain then necessary. The success of the integration process depends on the commitment of states to strengthen their economic, social and political relationship through real ownership of the process by the respective populations. It is clear that in Burundi the different stages of the process are not yet mastered, the opinion is under-informed, the content of the various existing protocols is beyond the reach of the majority of the population, and the benefits of integration have not yet been sufficiently explained. What: Through advocacy, contribute to an effective integration of Burundi in EAC by an improved investment climate and conditions. How: TradeMark Africa (TMA) will provide technical support to Forum for the Reinforcement of the Civil Society (FORSC) to implement this project. Contact: Alice Nibitanga, Email: [email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42607" image_2="42609"]Increased competitiveness of Burundian traders and products through increased access to trade and market...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="SEATINI-Upgrading quality standards in agriculture for Uganda maize and sesame." implementor="Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI)" target_group="Maize and sesame farmers/producers" project_value="US$ 300,000" implementation_period="2014 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Maize and sesame sub- sector have been faced with the challenge of poor quality across the region resulting from low standards. This has subjected farmers and traders to losses as a result of their goods being rejected at the borders. A number of policies and NTBs continue to affect these 2 sub-sectors in Uganda as a result of failure to meet standards. The EAC Common Market Score Card 2014 (World Bank and International Finance Cooperation) identified Sanitary and Phyto sanitary measures with the most categories of NTBs. The study identified cumbersome testing and certification procedures; non-recognition of quality marks and SPS certificate from other partner states and stringent requirements for exports of products as the most issues related to SPS and technical standards. Most farmers are not yet educated about the importance of handling the produce carefully after harvest so the quality is often bad and it discourages the buyers. Since maize and sesame are grown by the poor communities, supporting export capacities in this area through reducing NTBs associated with differing national requirements for standards will mitigate poverty and protect Uganda maize and sesame exports from negative shocks as she opens up to her neighbors. What: This project aims to support SEATINI develop policy papers to advocate for implementation of EAC standards on maize; work...