Women, youth traders demand harmonised EAC standards

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Women traders and youth have called for simplified trading documents, which are fast becoming new non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

Such documents include duplicated certification. Other NTBs faced by this group of investors include unclear trade documentation and inconsistent standards across EAC countries.

These issues were highlighted by Sakina Usengimana, a youth cross-border trader from Rwanda, during the opening session of the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations Forum on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). 

The forum was organised by the East African Business Council (EABC) in partnership with AGRA and held on May 8, 2025, in Nairobi.

Her frustration was further echoed by Nega Wubeneh, head of markets and trade at AGRA. 

He said that through their research, they discovered that young agri-food traders face more NTBs, including those related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, such as standards, certificates of origin, import levies, and road user charges.

He added that although the EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR) has eased access to the simplified certificate of origin for consignments below $2,000, many traders, especially women and youth, continue to face the above challenges.

On behalf of the EABC executive director, Frank Dafa, the manager for trade in goods called for support towards youth and women cross-border traders. 

He explained that women and youth cross-border traders are involved in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of the EAC economy.

Dafa added that these enterprises contribute an estimated 70% to the region’s GDP and provide livelihoods to 88% of its population.

He called on EAC partner state governments to simplify and reduce the cost of SPS and TBT (technical barriers to trade) certifications for small-scale traders, with a special focus on women and youth.

He also lauded the recent decision by the Government of the Republic of Kenya to eliminate the 25% excise tax on eggs, onions, and potatoes in the 2025 Finance Bill. 

He stated that this measure is expected to boost intra-regional trade, particularly benefiting youth and women cross-border traders, farmers, and enhancing food security.

The two-day forum, which ended on Saturday, developed an advocacy roadmap for the elimination of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and established a dedicated Cross-Border Traders NTB Working Group to enhance coordination and amplify the voices of youth and women traders across the region.