EABC and AGRA Empower Women and Youth Cross-Border Traders, Address NTBs at Taveta-Holili Border

 

The East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), launched a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) to tackle Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and enhance the capabilities of women and youth cross-border traders under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime. 

This initiative, part of the project “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing NTBs”, culminated in a roadmap to streamline trade at the Taveta-Holili One-Stop Border Post (OSBP).

Speaking at the event, Mr. Frank Dafa, representing the EABC Acting Executive Director, Mr. Adrian Njau, commended the East African Community (EAC) for marking 25 years of regional integration. He praised the EAC Simplified Trade Regime for easing trade documentation and reducing formalities, particularly for small-scale traders. 

“The Simplified Trade Regime has significantly lowered transaction costs for women and youth by exempting consignments valued under USD 2,000 from import duties in EAC destination countries,” said Dafa.

He further urged EAC member states to improve transparency in trade procedures and levies, enabling more women and youth to leverage the trade regime.

The PPD gathered 80 stakeholders, including 60 women and youth traders, government officials, and trade facilitation agencies from Tanzania and Kenya. 

The Tanzania Revenue Authority revealed that the Holili/Taveta border handles 297 monthly import declarations and 200 export declarations. Additionally, 763 baggage assessments for imported goods and 40 for exports were processed under the Simplified Trade Regime.

Kenya Revenue Authority officials noted the border operates round-the-clock for perishables and passengers, with extended hours for truck clearance. 

“The Holili/Taveta OSBP, the first of its kind in the EAC, holds quarterly joint border management meetings to enhance collaboration and coordination,” they stated.

To address NTBs, the EAC Secretariat introduced cross-border traders to the NTB Reporting Mobile App, facilitating real-time reporting and resolution of trade barriers. Ms. Joyce Ndosi, Chairperson of the Kilimanjaro-Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the iSOKO platform’s potential for connecting women traders with clients and fostering trade opportunities.

Equity Bank Tanzania presented tailored financial solutions for women traders, while EASSI called for a fully operational trade information desk on the Kenyan side of the border to complement the one in Tanzania.

Despite these advances, challenges persist. Women and youth traders face unclear fees and levies, such as road tolls, phytosanitary certificates, and aflatoxin tests, which inflate costs and deter formal trade. Additionally, technical system failures, unsynchronized customs systems, and stringent standards for packaging and labeling hinder smooth operations.

“We need to ensure labeling, packaging, and value addition meet required standards. SIDO has been tasked with equipping traders with these skills,” said a representative from the Tanzania Small Industries Development Organization.

The dialogue concluded with commitments from trade facilitation agencies to address these issues through joint border management meetings. EABC pledged to present policy recommendations to EAC Technical Committees for reform.

To maximize benefits for women and youth traders, the EAC bloc is urged to harmonize trade policies, expand affordable telecommunication services, and enable free movement using national IDs. 

These measures will strengthen regional integration and enhance competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

About EABC:

Founded in 1997, the East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and corporations from the eight EAC member states. Its vision is to create a borderless East Africa for business and investment.