Nairobi: The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have called for the identification and harmonization of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to significantly enhance Intra-Africa trade. State Department for Trade Principal Secretary (PS) Ms. Regina Ombam highlighted the impact of these NTBs, particularly on the horticultural value chain, which is crucial for regional trade, agricultural productivity, and economic prosperity.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Ombam emphasized that the horticulture sector is a vital pillar of economic growth, supporting farmers, SMEs, and agribusinesses across COMESA and the East African Community (EAC) member states. In a speech delivered by Ms. Caroline Chore, a Senior Trade Development Officer, at the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA) Regional Workshop, Ms. Ombam pointed out that research consistently shows NTBs hinder seamless trade, limiting market access and the movement of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.
Ms. Ombam warned that unless NTBs are systematically addressed, they will continue to fragment markets, stifle productivity, and reduce opportunities for regional integration. She called for the development of a roadmap to harmonize NTBs affecting CEHA regional value chains.
The workshop aims to provide a platform for mapping and assessing the most pressing NTBs affecting horticulture, identifying priority challenges faced by stakeholders, and facilitating dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, regulatory agencies, and producers. Ms. Ombam also emphasized the importance of building capacity to ensure compliance with trade facilitation protocols and agreeing on a roadmap to harmonize NTBs and unlock trade potential.
Dr. John Mukuka, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), explained that NTBs are hidden forces that delay trucks, inflate costs, and reduce farmer incomes. In 2020, intra-COMESA exports dropped by 11%, from USD 10.9 billion to 9.7 billion, with NTBs playing a significant role.
Dr. Mukuka highlighted that across the EAC, 256 NTBs were reported, and while 95% were resolved by mid-2022, delays and fragmentation continue to stifle trade. Traders can spend between two and 296 hours on compliance, and a mere 10% increase in paperwork time can cut exports by up to 10%. In COMESA, non-tariff trade costs average a staggering 285% ad valorem, double that of the EAC region.
To address these challenges, Dr. Mukuka called for the design and rollout of SMS or app-based NTB reporting platforms across all Member States within the next six months and the piloting of 'Lean Corridors' with targets such as a 48-hour clearance benchmark from Nairobi to Kigali.
Dr. Mukuka also advocated for forming multi-stakeholder technical groups to finalize Mutual Recognition Agreements for seed, fertilizer, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, digitizing documentation processes, and integrating NTB alerts into platforms farmers already use.
He urged that smallholders, youth, women, and logistics providers be included in every national NTB Monitoring Committee and proposed incentivizing efficient trade by rewarding frictionless shipments with co-funded private sector support. Dr. Mukuka called for clear timelines, defined responsibilities, realistic budgets, and the establishment of a technical task force to launch at least two lean corridor initiatives by the first quarter of 2026.
Dr. Mukuka expressed confidence that the forum would be a turning point where data drives action, regulatory harmonization becomes reality, and cross-border trade becomes predictable, efficient, and inclusive.