By Eddah Waithaka
Dr. Christopher Onyango, Director for Trade and Customs at the Commercial Secretariat, outlined key measures to enhance regional trade and mitigate external economic pressures during the 41st Trade and Customs Committee meeting.
The high-level technical committee, which advises the Commercial Council of Ministers, reviewed critical trade policies, including capacity-building initiatives with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and updates on the Treated Area Regime, where 16 member states grant zero tariffs on select goods.
The committee is actively advancing key focus areas to enhance trade facilitation and support for small-scale traders.
It has evaluated the progress of digital trade tools, including a recently launched online system for reporting non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and the electronic Certificate of Origin, streamlining cross-border transactions.
Dr. Onyango emphasized the importance of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), which simplifies trade for SMEs by eliminating complex documentation and stations trade information officers at border points to assist women and youth traders, who play a pivotal role in cross-border commerce.
Additionally, the committee presented a draft strategy for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade that currently stagnates below 10%, despite its immense potential of $100 billion.
Responding to Global Trade Shifts
With rising U.S. and EU tariffs threatening African exports, Dr. Onyango stressed unity, “We must develop common policies to shield our economies. While external markets like AGOA remain important, boosting intra-Commerce trade is critical.”
Kenya, set to chair the COMESA Summit in October, will host exhibitions at KICC to empower women and youth traders, further driving regional economic integration.
“The challenge isn’t just tariffs, it’s non-tariff barriers and low production,” noted Dr. Onyango. “We’re addressing both to unlock Africa’s trade potential.”
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