Research suggests that Agriculture is the backbone of the COMESA and EAC regional economies, contributing significantly to employment, food security, and export earnings. Staples such as maize, potatoes, and rice; agricultural inputs including seed, fertilizer, and agrochemicals; and horticultural products such as fruits and vegetables represent key value chains supporting livelihoods and intra-regional trade.
However, the sector remains constrained by multiple non-tariff barriers such as non-harmonized Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements, fragmented seed and input certification systems, and duplicative testing protocols, among other things.
These barriers not only raise transaction costs and delay cross-border trade, particularly for perishables, but also suppress private sector participation in the value chains, productivity, and regional food system resilience. Enhanced
To contribute to unlocking the full potential of agricultural value chains by eliminating NTBs and aligning regulatory frameworks, ACTESA and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Uganda, have joined forces in championing a barrier-free regional trade environment that enables efficient, inclusive, and competitive horticultural value chains in Eastern and Southern Africa through spearheading the review of institutional arrangements and promoting coordination mechanisms for NTB Taskforces and SPS systems at the national and regional level.
This was manifested by the convening of the COMESA EAC Horticulture Accelerator, Regional Forum on NTB/SPS held in Entebbe, Uganda, on the 17th and 18th of September.
The Forum aimed to strengthen National and Regional NTB/SPS Taskforces in CEHA countries, including defining institutional mandates, coordination mechanisms, and governance structures for NTB/SPS oversight.
A crucial outcome of the meeting was the formalization of the role of CEHA National Chapters in national NTB monitoring and the institutionalization of the NTWG at the country level. This will contribute to ensuring that NTB/SPS-related issues in the horticulture sector across the CEHA target countries are tracked, investigated, reported, and addressed promptly.
Key stakeholders from the private and public sectors, including strategic partners like the GIZ and Trademark Africa, explored mechanisms to define institutional mandates and strengthen the governance structures of the regional NTB/SPS Taskforces.
Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Mr Deogratius Musagazi, and the ACTESA CEO, Dr John Mukuka, remarked on the critical role of functional NTB and SPS institutional frameworks in the elimination of NTBS.
The two speakers emphasized that trade barriers, including regulatory requirements, certification procedures, and compliance standards, lead to increased costs, delayed market access, and reduced competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.
Mr Deogratius Musagazi called for quick harmonization of Standards and Procedures through systematic coordination, while reducing compliance burdens. He stated that institutional frameworks are crucial in enabling the sharing of best practices, technical expertise, and capacity-building resources across member countries.
“Effective task forces serve as early warning systems and resolution mechanisms for emerging trade barriers. Based on global best practices and regional experiences, effective NTB and SPS task forces should incorporate several critical elements”, he remarked.
The ACTESA CEO explained that the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA) was established to unlock the enormous potential of the fruit and vegetable sector as a driver of inclusive growth.
Dr Mukuka reaffirmed ACTESA’s commitment to working with EAC, governments, and development partners to ensure that NTB elimination is not only discussed but also implemented with urgency for the benefit of farmers, SMEs, and exporters.
Together, we are championing a barrier-free regional trade environment that enables efficient, inclusive, and competitive horticultural value chains in Eastern and Southern Africa.
