DI East Africa’s Post

KAM has this afternoon presented a Memorandum on the Kenya – European Union Economic Partnership Agreements (Kenya – EU EPAs) to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Kenya and EU have been trading under the Kenya - EAC terms, where Kenya was allowed to implement the agreement, pending its ratification by fellow EAC partner states. In 2022, Kenya imported products worth about $1.7 billion, mainly from the EU comprising of machinery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agricultural products. On the other hand, Kenya exported goods worth about $1.1 billion to the EU, mainly comprising of agricultural commodities including flowers, fresh produce, coffee, tea, fruits and some miscellaneous value-added products. As the Kenya - EU EPAs come into force; there is an opportunity for Kenya to take up the market opportunities presented by the huge demand in the EU. However, there is need for Kenya to address competitiveness issues; bearing in mind that the 25-year window is meant to enable the country to build its capacity to compete with EU on a level playing field. Taking a leaf from AGOA that has been with Kenya for the past 24 years, it is important to acknowledge that the country has not yet been able to work on its backward and forward integration as envisioned in 2000, due to the lack of synergized and deliberate long term competitiveness enhancement program for Kenya.    Therefore, Kenya needs to be globally competitive so as to compete with about 70 countries that have duty free, quota free market access to the European Union. #KAMAdvocacy 

The initiative, titled “Private Sector and CSOs for Inclusive and Greening Trade,” is a collaboration between the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and TradeMark Africa (TMA). The initiative, titled “Private Sector and CSOs for Inclusive and Greening Trade,” is a collaboration between the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and TradeMark Africa (TMA). The project serves as a model for public-private partnerships addressing systemic challenges in emerging markets. By fostering collaboration and prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability, the initiative has the potential to create a more prosperous and resilient future for Tanzania's trade sector.

On October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade proudly launched Namibia's first National Trade Policy and the National Action Programme on Investment (NAPI), aimed at localizing the SADC Investment Policy Framework. The launch event brought together the Namibia Trade Forum, various agencies, stakeholders, and ambassadors, marking a significant step towards transforming trade and investment in Namibia for years to come. In her keynote address, Hon. Minister Lucia Iipumbu emphasized that these frameworks reflect our collective commitment to driving economic growth, enhancing competition, and improving the livelihoods of all Namibians. The National Trade Policy is designed to meet our current economic needs, ensuring our trade strategies are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with global trends. Key objectives of the National Trade Policy include: · Diversifying and consolidating markets for Namibian goods and services · Boosting exports in regional, continental, and global markets · Empowering MSMEs, women, and youth-owned businesses with access to finance and market info · Enhancing our domestic trading environment for inclusivity and competitiveness · Building capacity to effectively negotiate and implement trade agreements This policy is the result of collaboration among government, the private sector, stakeholders, and development partners. Together, we’re committed to fostering a favorable investment climate and driving Namibia’s economic growth and industrialization! Download the Namibia NAPI Report from the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade website. #NamibiaTrade #EconomicGrowth #NAPI #Poweringdomesticandinternationaltrade

The 6th round of negotiations for the Kenya-US Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) kicks off today in Mombasa, Kenya. 🇰enya 🇺🇸 This round dives deeper into key areas like agriculture, customs regulations, environmental protections, establishing good regulatory practices, and ensuring worker rights. Both sides are aiming to finalize a high-standard STIP agreement by the end of 2024. There's already been positive progress on anti-corruption measures, empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), service sector regulations, and some aspects of agricultural trade. This ambitious partnership aims to significantly increase investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and ultimately benefit workers, consumers, and businesses in both countries. The STIP negotiations are a key step in strengthening US-Kenya economic ties and fostering stronger African regional economic integration. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development! #Kenya #US #STIP #Trade #Investment #Africa

Explore the synergies between aid and trade in Kenya and Tanzania🌍   East Africa is the fastest-growing economy of all African regions and offers great partnership opportunities across various sectors for Danish, Kenyan and Tanzanian companies and organizations.   We have together with Food Nation developed a webinar where you can get an update on the current development trends and commercial opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania.   In the webinar, you can hear from and about:   💡 Executive Director of the Confederation of Tanzanian Industries, @Leodegar Tenga, who will share insight on the Tanzanian labor market and business environment. Psst! The country is getting more and more attractive as a trading partner. 🌾 Agribusiness deep-dive: Food Nation highlights Danish technologies with commercial potential for Kenya and Tanzania as two fast-developing agrarian economies. 🌐 The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark sheds light on new Danish agribusiness initiative (tbc)   When and where? April 25 at 08:30 (Danish time)- 9:30 (EAT)   Read more about the program and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/djEAfuyi Klaus Lehn Christensen DI - Dansk Industri DI East Africa #Trade #Aid #Agribusiness

Day one of the three-day Intra Africa Coffee and Chocolate Trade Week 2024 commenced on November 27, 2024, at Glee Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together key stakeholders to explore trade opportunities and foster innovation within Africa's coffee and cocoa value chains. KNCCI CEO Ahmed Farah HSC reiterated KNCCI’s commitment to promoting trade and unlocking new opportunities in the coffee sector. He emphasized the importance of value addition, which requires strong support for local manufacturing. Discussions on the first day focused on leveraging trade frameworks such as African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to enhance exports and attract investment. It also explored innovative opportunities in coffee pulp, biofuels, and cosmetics, highlighting Africa's potential as a global leader in the coffee and cocoa industries through value addition, sustainability, and inclusivity. Key dignitaries in attendance included the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; Amb. Isaiya Kabira, MBS, Secretary for Diaspora Investments, Skills & Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; and Mr. Simon Nyagah, CEO of World Alliance International.

🌍 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 #𝐂𝐁𝐀𝐌: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (AHK Eastern Africa) is pleased to share our latest #study on the European Union’s #CarbonBorderAdjustmentMechanism (#CBAM), commissioned by the #Embassy of the Federal Republic of #Germany Nairobi. This groundbreaking study was officially launched at the German-African Business Summit (GABS) 2024 by #AlexanderFierley, the Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nairobi. This study highlights the business case for #Kenya’s export sectors to prepare for potential CBAM compliance in the future. While current exports may not fall directly under CBAM, increasing global standards allows Kenyan companies to strengthen sustainable practices, improve emissions tracking, and explore green investments. 📊 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: ➡Low to medium CBAM awareness and readiness levels across Kenyan sectors. ➡Economic impacts on key industries, e.g. cement and agriculture, and future compliance considerations. ➡Recommendations to a diverse set of actors to address CBAM and low carbon emissions frameworks in Kenya. Policymakers, industry leaders, private companies, and sustainability advocates will find valuable insights in this study that will support Kenya’s sustainable growth and competitive positioning in global trade. 🔗 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/3ZHivhP #CBAM #KenyaBusiness #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GermanEmbassyNairobi #GreenInvestments #KenyaIndustry #AHKEasternAfrica Hanna Dittmeyer Maureen Adongo Onginjo Georg Pflomm Bronwyne Andabwa Dennis Kanyanja

This week, the EAC Secretariat has convened the 2nd MARKUP II Regional Steering Committee meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 1st to 5th, 2024. Kicking off with visits to thriving Rwandan SMEs—success stories from the first phase of MARKUP—the event brings together regional stakeholders dedicated to amplifying market access for East African products. COPRA, alongside Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, is part of this delegation, actively contributing to critical discussions on enhancing export opportunities for Tanzanian produce. MARKUP II is focused on paving the way for international market access for Tanzanian products like avocado, spices, coffee, packaging, and leather goods. As the authority overseeing Tanzania's avocado value chain and spices sub-sector, COPRA is dedicated to empowering SMEs by establishing robust market systems and fortifying these industries for global trade. By strengthening these value chains, we’re ensuring Tanzanian produce can thrive and compete on the world stage. #COPRA #ShirikishaBoreshaEndeleza #LishaTaifaLishaDunia

In East Africa, approximately 25% of all trade takes place with neighboring countries, as indicated by a Policy LINK Regional Agriculture Trade Competitiveness Analysis. East Africa has a real potential to increase trade within the region beyond current levels and with existing production patterns. Explore our knowledge hub for insights and analysis for sustainable trade and growth. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dmnU_DwD DAI | USAID | Feed the Future

✨ The Peer-to-Peer conference themed "𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐀𝐂," kicked off yesterday, August 1st in Nairobi, Kenya and runs through today, August 2nd. The Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference aims to identify and tackle obstacles in the EAC's distribution sector and devise growth strategies for the regional private sector. Focus areas include discussing regulatory challenges, growth measures, and creating an action plan for the sector's dynamic evolution. Through peer learning dynamics, a facilitated knowledge exchange is taking place among countries with successful reforms and foreign entities with advanced distribution practices, emphasising inventory management, skill enhancement, and local supplier integration. The conference inaugurates the Common Market Protocol work stream of the EU-EAC Core Programme, aligning with broader regional integration goals. The event is bringing together public and private sector delegations, business associations, distribution firms, e-commerce platforms, and academic institutions, marking a significant step in promoting the EU-EAC Core Programme and regional integration. #EUEACCORE #EastAfricaIntegration #TradeAndCooperation #EconomicGrowth #RegionalDevelopment #Innovation #Inclusivity #EconomicIntegration #TradeDevelopment #GOPAgroup Staicy Napio Wagala, Philadelphia ZAWIERUCHA, EAST AFRICAN CHAMBERS OF AGRICULTURE COMMERCE & INDUSTRY LTD, East African Community, East African Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, East African Community Secretariat, GOPA Consulting Group