The East African Business Council(EABC), in partnership with the Team Europe Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF)
implemented by GIZ, organised a two-day workshop on the opportunities available
under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, and the
integration of EAC Value Chains under the AfCFTA.
The workshop provided 50 participants from various sectors, including manufacturing, agro-processing,
transport and logistics, and import and export, with essential information and
knowledge needed to benefit from the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA.
Mr. Cleopas Ndorere, Commissioner of External Trade, Industry and
Cooperatives, presided over the sensitisation workshop and warmly welcomed all
participants. He expressed his appreciation to the EABC for including small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) as significant beneficiaries of the information-sharing
session. He emphasised the pivotal roles of youth and women, representing a
substantial portion of the population in Uganda and the entire EAC region. He urged
the private sector to continue their efforts to influence their respective countries to
fulfil the commitments to implement regional and continental trade agreements to
open markets and facilitate the transfer of skills and innovation across the region and
beyond. He further pledged support in facilitating traders in Uganda who express
interest in trading through the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, providing them with
all the necessary information and guidance to seize the opportunities the initiative
offers.
Mr Simon Kaheru, the East African Business Council Vice-Chair, thanked
EABC’s partners and the Uganda Government for their support in mobilising
members for a critical workshop. He highlighted the potential of the AfCFTA in turning
Africa into a modern, industrialised, and influential global player, bringing
opportunities for corporations, SMEs, youth, and women businesses. He urged
participants to professionalise their business processes to compete effectively in the
broader African market.
Mr. Martin Makku, the Sector Coordinator for Agriculture, Agribusiness, and For
estry in PSFU and the EABC National Focal Point in Uganda, appreciated the collab
orative effort in organising the workshop. He emphasised the need for SMEs to com
ply with market access requirements and highlighted Uganda’s potential to offer prod
ucts under AfCFTA, particularly coffee meeting global standards. This emphasis on
Uganda’s potential inspires SMEs to explore these opportunities.
Mr. Samson Odhiambo, representing EU-TAF, underscored the private sector’s
significant role as a catalyst for developing productive capacity and regional value
chains. He stressed the importance of expanding access to foreign markets and sup
porting export-ready firms to foster business growth and technological spillovers. He
also reaffirmed the EU-TAF’s is dedication to rolling out initiatives that accelerate the
implementation of the AfCFTA, thereby fostering economic integration across Africa.
The two-day workshop convenes more than 50 SMEs from sectors such as Agro
processing, importation, exportation, Business Membership Organizations, transport
and logistics, and Sectoral Associations. Over the two days, they will be trained on
leveraging the Guided Trade Initiative and Value Chain Integration as they pursue
trading under the African Continental Trade Agreement growth.
This workshop marks a significant step in equipping the private sector to navigate
and benefit from AfCFTA’s liberalised trade environment. By integrating value chains
across the EAC, the region is poised for growth and increased competitiveness on
the continent.
