During the East African Business Council (EABC) – AGRA Public-Private Dialogue on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) at the Nimule-Elegu Border, women and youth cross-border traders appealed to the Government to publish trade procedures for the most commonly traded goods at the Nimule-Elegu border to enhance transparency and boost trade between South Sudan and Uganda.
Key exports from Uganda to South Sudan include cereals while most imports are fish. An official from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) at the border stated that 600 to 1200 people formally cross the Nimule-Elegu border daily.
Speaking on behalf of EABC Chairperson Hon. John Akol Akol, Mr. Caesar Riko from South Sudan Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (SSNCIA) emphasized that South Sudan and Uganda should be more dynamic in trade, improving production, diversification, and facilitation to boost intra-EAC trade.
Mr. Matia Etedu from the Ministry of EAC Affairs stated that the elimination of NTBs such as visa fees between South Sudan and Uganda has significantly improved trade ties. He urged cross-border traders to commercialize agriculture and embrace economic integration by tapping into the EAC common market.
Mr. Abraham Ariik from the Ministry of EAC Affairs, Republic of South Sudan, stated that nurturing strong relationships is crucial for trade to thrive and eliminate NTBs.
The women and youth traders recommended several measures to improve trade, including:
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- Upscaling Nimule/Elegu to a One Stop Border Post (OSBP),
- Harmonizing and synchronizing Custom Systems and procedures,
- Increasing border gate opening hours: To allow more women and youth to trade.
- Addressing exchange rate fluctuations.
- Full adoption of the EAC Simplified Trade Regime.
- Implementing EAC Commitments by the Republic of South Sudan including the ratification of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
- Improving the infrastructure on the Nimule-Juba road.
- 24-hour operation of the border post.
- Establishing banking services at the Elegu-Uganda side.
- Establishing a cross-border reporting desk at the Nimule-border.
- Onboarding of new trade facilitation officers with expertise in gender and trade facilitation.
- Addressing high transport costs.
- Establishing and supporting women and youth cooperatives.
- Involving women and youth cross-border traders in joint border management committee meetings.
- Using gazetted routes to eliminate smuggling.
- Reducing the number of roadblocks and checkpoints.
Mr. Frank Dafa, Manager of Trade in Goods, representing EABC Executive Director Mr. Adrian Njau, urged cross-border traders to report NTBs via the mobile-based EAC NTBs reporting application.
EABC, in partnership with AGRA, also conducted capacity building for women and youth cross-border traders on trade facilitation under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime. Over 60 women and youth cross-border traders enhanced their knowledge of cross-border trade. EABC also sensitized the women and youth cross-border traders on the EABC-TCCIA-AGRA WhatsApp B2B Platform (+255764520168), which enables potential buyers to view products sold by cross-border traders and place orders directly.
The SSNCCIA urged women cross-border traders to utilize business development services to scale up their businesses across borders. SSNCCIA urged the EAC to support bilateral trade between South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the border.
The East African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) has a dedicated office and desk officer at the Elegu border to support cross-border traders and enhance collective trade through established cooperatives.
This initiative is part of the EABC-AGRA project titled “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing NTBs.”
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 8 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community. EABC vision is a borderless East Africa for business and investment. The primary mission is to promote sustainable private sector-driven growth in the EAC
