The horticulture sector remains a pillar of economic growth, supporting farmers, SMEs, and agribusinesses across COMESA and EAC Member States. Nonetheless, research suggests that NTBs continue to hinder seamless trade, limiting market access and the movement of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), which include divergent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, varying input certification requirements, inconsistent quality standards, and inefficient border procedures, continue to constrain cross-border trade. Critical to unlocking the full potential of regional agricultural markets and improving food system resilience is the elimination of NTBs to enhance regional agricultural trade.
As part of its efforts to strengthen regional agricultural trade affecting staples, agricultural inputs, and horticultural value chains within the COMESA region, the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) Secretariat, convened a meeting on the identification of key NTBs and the development of a roadmap for harmonization of the NTBs in Nairobi, Kenya, on the 19th and 20th of June 2025.
The meeting was officially opened by Ms Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, represented by Ms Caroline Chore Senior Trade Development Officer, who underscored the relevance of seamless horticulture cross-border trade, collective commitment, policy coordination, and targeted interventions to ensure the elimination of NTBS and accelerate horticultural trade across Eastern and Southern Africa.
“The horticulture sector is a key driver of economic development, supporting farmers, SMEs, and agribusinesses across COMESA and EAC member states. However, persistent NTBs continue to limit market access and the seamless movement of horticultural products.
“Fragmented markets and regulatory inconsistencies continue to limit the movement of goods and stifle opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses. NTBs are a major obstacle to regional trade, agricultural productivity, and economic growth. Addressing such barriers would, therefore, help increase regional trade in horticultural products,” she said.
ACTESA Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Mukuka, remarked that the elimination of NTBs affecting horticultural value chains is of critical importance to regional trade, agricultural productivity, and economic prosperity. He further highlighted that ACTESA’s goal is to raise intra-regional agricultural trade from the current 10–15% to over 50% in line with the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA).
‘’Harmonised SPS standards, input protocols, and pest control regulations are essential for unlocking agricultural trade across the region. Harmonisation will enable farmers and exporters to access regional and international markets more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the profitability of horticultural value chains,” said Dr. Mukuka.
TradeMark Africa’s Director of Trade and Customs, Bendict Musengele, noted that while over 90% of reported NTBs are resolved, trade volumes have remained stagnant.
“We must address informal and unreported barriers while building productive capacity,” he said.
Alliance for a Green Revolution and the GIZ, represented by Wubeneh and Nega, and Katharina Stumpf, respectively, expressed their commitment to supporting the growth of the Horticulture Sector in the COMESA and EAC region for increased intra-regional trade in horticulture products.
The meeting drew participation from horticulture stakeholders in the CEHA target countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, all committed to transforming the vast potential of the horticulture sector within its region.
The stakeholders called for accelerated policy coordination, public-private collaboration, and a clear roadmap for eliminating NTBs to boost regional food trade and position Eastern and Southern Africa as competitive players in global agricultural markets.
The meeting closed on a high note with the development of actionable priority actions and a strategic road map for eliminating and addressing NTBs in the COMESA and EAC region.
Spearheaded by the ACTESA Secretariat, CEHA seeks to enhance sustainable development in the sector, focusing on potatoes, avocados, and onions as the priority value chains based on their production capacity and economic growth potential.
Currently valued at USD 4 billion, to double or triple in the next 10 years, the CEHA program was created in 2022 through public and private sector partners to better coordinate policy, value chain development programs, financing, research, and development. The project aims to accelerate the growth of the fruit and vegetable subsector of the COMESA and EAC regions.
By ACTESA Communication Specialist.
