TCCIA- KIGOMA and The East African Business Council (EABC) has partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to launch a new initiative titled “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Trade.” The project, supported by a grant of $399,900 from AGRA with funding from the Mastercard Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), aims to boost agri-food trade across select East African trade corridors.
The initiative focuses on empowering women and youth-led agri-food traders, with a particular emphasis on increasing the volume of trade in key agricultural products, including maize, maize flour, rice, beans, soybeans, and horticulture. It seeks to address and resolve NTBs that often hinder cross-border trade and make trading costly and time-consuming.
Over the course of three years, the project is expected to benefit approximately 2,440 youth and women-led traders by enhancing their knowledge on trade facilitation instruments such as the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and trade portals. Furthermore, the project will establish digital trade information booths at border points, providing easier access to market information for traders.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA), with the EABC serving as the lead implementer. Key border points for the initiative include Taveta/Holili, Malaba, Busia/Elegu, Serari, Kibirizi/Kigoma, Mutukula/Kagera, and Tunduma/Mbeya.
To monitor progress, the project will conduct annual assessments to establish the East African Community Non-Tariff Barriers Index (EAC NTBI). This index will be used to track and evaluate the elimination of NTBs and the overall improvement in trade facilitation.
The partnership between EABC and AGRA is expected to significantly contribute to improving food security in the region, create more employment opportunities for youth and women, and increase the income of farmers involved in cross-border trade.
Governments across the East African Community (EAC) will play a crucial role in supporting this project through public-private dialogues, policy reforms, and adoption of recommendations based on the NTB Index findings. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance the overall business environment for young traders and strengthen the agri-food trade sector in the region.
The Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA) plays a pivotal role in the success of this initiative by actively engaging with both national and international organizations. Through its collaboration with entities like EABC the Mastercard Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and AGRA, TCCIA is fostering a more favorable business and investment environment in Tanzania. By working closely with government agencies, private sector associations, and international partners, TCCIA ensures that the needs of Tanzanian traders, particularly women and youth, are addressed. This multi-stakeholder engagement is vital for driving reforms, reducing trade barriers, and promoting sustainable growth, ultimately positioning Tanzania as a key player in the East African agri-food trade. Through such initiatives, TCCIA continues to enhance the country’s competitiveness and attract further investments, contributing to the broader economic development of Tanzania and the region.
