Overview
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a non-profit organization established in 2010 with the mission to enhance prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. Funded by various development agencies, TMA collaborates with regional intergovernmental organizations, national governments, the private sector, and civil society to reduce trade barriers and improve business competitiveness.
Key Objectives:
Reducing Barriers to Trade: TMA works to eliminate obstacles that hinder trade, such as non-tariff barriers, by facilitating the implementation of trade agreements and promoting efficient border management.
Improving Business Competitiveness: The organization supports businesses in enhancing their competitiveness through capacity building, access to markets, and the adoption of best practices.
Areas of Focus:
Physical Infrastructure: Developing and improving trade-related infrastructure, including ports, roads, and border posts, to facilitate smoother trade flows.
ICT for Trade: Implementing digital solutions to streamline trade processes, such as electronic single windows and digital platforms for trade information.
Standards and Sanitary Measures: Harmonizing standards and sanitary measures to ensure the quality and safety of traded goods.
Women in Trade: Empowering women traders by providing information, training, and support to enhance their participation in trade activities.
Impact:
TMA’s initiatives have led to significant improvements in trade efficiency and competitiveness in the region. For instance, the implementation of Single Window Information for Trade Systems has reduced the time to process trade documents from an average of 86 hours in 2012 to 10 hours in 2016, and the cost per transaction from $58 to $8 in the same period.
