IBI - A URC Company’s Post

IBI is excited to announce that we will be implementing the USAID Feed the Future Rwanda Trade Facilitation Activity, in partnership with the USAID Mission in Rwanda and subcontractors Vanguard Economics, Dalberg Advisors, and Great Lakes Media and Communication Center. Building on the success of Rwanda’s efforts to create a business-friendly environment for traders, IBI will support the government of Rwanda and the private sector to further reduce non-tariff barriers to trade and bolster a transparent trade regulatory system. A gateway to neighboring countries Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda has emerged as a regional business center for East and Central Africa, with a business climate that is characterized by ease of doing business, stability, and a commitment to digital transformation. IBI looks forward to working over the next four years to support USAID’s investments in strengthening Rwanda’s enabling environment for private sector growth and expanding Rwanda’s access to markets. Image source: Encyclopedia Britannica #USAID #Rwanada

Many importers are not aware of the trade agreements available to boost trade with smaller countries. This event, AGOA Private Sector Forum hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa, promises to shed light on the advantages of trading with countries in Africa, fostering valuable connections and opportunities. #TradeAgreements #BoostTrade #AfricanCountries

The Zambia Trade Mark Registry recently issued a notice regarding the update of the NICE classification system from the 11th edition to the 12th edition. Although the notice did not specify the implementation year, further inquiry with the Registry confirmed they are now using the 12th edition, version 2024. Click here for more: https://buff.ly/4aJPG7n #adamsadamslaw #africanlawfirm #africaupdate #realiseafricanenterprise

#AfricaInFocus The Government of #Rwanda and #TradeMark Africa (TMA) will co-host the Trade Development Forum, bringing together Heads of State and Government Officials, Development Partners, Academicians, Multilateral Organisations and Private Sector from 14 TMA countries of implementation and beyond. Under the theme “Digital Trade”, this 2-day forum will take place in Kigali, Rwanda; from 2 December to 3 December 2024. The previous editions were held in Kenya in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2019, and in Uganda in 2018. This year’s forum will spotlight innovative digital trade practices and technologies including the interoperability of digital payments, the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and Artificial Intelligence in trade processes, and how automation can support green trade initiatives. Discussions will address leveraging technology to streamline trade facilitation and enhance policy frameworks across Africa. Sessions will explore the convergence of digital advancements with green trade initiatives. @afcftapolicyghana #AfCFTA #Agenda2063 https://lnkd.in/eUK88Tnx

Mapaseka Ntili, a Legal Advisor at SIMA Communications in Lesotho, sheds light on the hurdles faced by MSMEs in embracing e-commerce - regulatory gaps, financial challenges, and consumer trust. Explore the trends and implications, and join the conversation on shaping a vibrant digital economy in Africa: https://lnkd.in/dTaY7E6J #trade #smegrowth #africaneconomy

Tanzania and Kenya forge agreement to tackle trade barriers. Tanzania and Kenya have struck an agreement to eliminate non-tax trade barriers. This development, aimed at simplifying regulations and reducing trading costs, was cemented at the 8th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Kisumu. Spearheaded by Tanzania's Deputy Minister Stephen Byabato and Kenya's Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano,EGH, the agreement marks a significant step in bolstering trade and fostering socio-economic development across both nations. The two countries underscore their commitment to stimulating regional trade within the East African Community (EAC) by addressing critical trade hindrances, including import-export restrictions. This collaboration aims to ease business operations and reinforce the longstanding partnership between Tanzania and Kenya, promising a brighter future for intra-regional commerce and mutual growth. #TanzaniaKenyaTrade #EconomicCooperation #EastAfricanCommunity #TradeBarriersRemoved #RegionalGrowth

Enhancing our collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry Today, the Zambia Institute of Trade Policy (ZITP) paid a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary for Trade, Mrs Lillian Bwalya, at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry. This meeting was pivotal in strengthening ZITP's collaboration on critical trade-related matters. Key areas of focus included training and capacity building for various stakeholders, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the upcoming inaugural AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum to be hosted by 🇿🇲 Zambia in September 2024. The ZITP delegation, comprising President Edwin Makuya, Executive Director Maggie Kaunda, and Council Treasurer Winstone Lungu, emphasized the significance of this partnership in advancing Zambia's trade agenda and ensuring comprehensive stakeholder engagement. #Zambia #Afcfta #tradepolicy #digitaltrade #servicestrade #investments #economicgrowth

Our Senior Research Officer, Prachi Agarwal, is heading to Nigeria next week to attend a high-level meeting hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria on “Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy". Prachi will share key insights from our latest report, "Advancing implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in Nigeria," which offers crucial recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders on: ⏺ Assessing Nigeria's digital trade readiness ⏺ Understanding public and private sector awareness of the AfCFTA protocol ⏺ Enhancing readiness and awareness to drive protocol implementation This high-level event is a crucial platform for discussing the future of digital trade in Africa and Nigeria, and the role of the AfCFTA in driving economic growth and development. We are proud to contribute to this important conversation and look forward to sharing our research with the wider community. 📑 To read the report in full, visit: https://lnkd.in/eMqiJe4E ℹ This engagement is part of our Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to support the negotiations and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). To learn more about SITA, visit: https://lnkd.in/eH5TjNkf #Nigeria #Africa #DigitalTrade #AfCFTA #OneAfricanMarket

MEEI Program , we are dedicated to strengthening bilateral trade between Nigeria and Turkey. By fostering collaborations and supporting investors from both countries, we are driving economic growth and creating lasting impact. https://lnkd.in/dFVkhE3d #BilateralTrade #NigeriaTurkey #EconomicGrowth #InvestmentOpportunities #MEEIProgram #BusinessSummit #InternationalTrade #EconomicDevelopment #GlobalBusiness

As 2023 comes close to the end, hereunder we make a summary of our main publications and videos during this year and a selection of our most-read posts. Thanks 🙏 for following us and happy 2024 to all our readers! 🎉 🥂 📕 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) monitoring system in Africa: possible approaches for HoAI countries https://lnkd.in/d24Ds9qS 📕 Analysys of the institutional structure/coordination mechanism for trade and investment policies: https://lnkd.in/dWrc3eBw 📕Horn of Africa Regional Roadmap on Private Sector Engagement: https://lnkd.in/dsWW2_ia 📽 Initiatives for facilitating cross-border informal trade in Africa: the Simplified Trade Regime (STR): https://lnkd.in/dACVhr53 📽How we can achieve sustainable economic growth and inclusive development in Africa: https://lnkd.in/d2cU7KPw 📽 Deindustrialisation of Europe and industrialisation of Africa: which compromise? https://lnkd.in/dDs9rbai 📽REX (Registered Exporter) launch in Seychelles: https://lnkd.in/dcJn9nuU Posts: 📑 Africa: a champion in signing Treaties, a loser in their implementation: https://lnkd.in/dpGzUW-Q 📑 From the WCO a guide for the private sector on the application of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin: https://lnkd.in/dpApTziU 📑 African Ministers exclude trade of second-hand clothes under the AfCFTA preferential rules: https://lnkd.in/d-pYS8Jn 📑 AfCFTA tariff revenue losses: a risk for introducing new export and trade taxes in Africa?https://lnkd.in/dVHENaTP