The East African Community established institutional mechanisms for reporting NTBs as well as providing technical support and facilitating Bilateral, National and Regional meetings to resolve NTBs. With these interventions, some progress has been registered, but owing to the complexity in NTB elimination and given their resurgence new innovative approaches are required to minimise their emergence.
The quantification of the impact of identified NTBs, as well as the effects of removed NTBs, remains a challenge in the region. In 2022, Imani Development was commissioned by the EAC Secretariat to measure the impact of NTBs in the EAC, develop a training programme for National Monitoring Committees (NMCs), and to develop an integrated EAC-wide NTB online reporting system.
The scope of the work consisted of the following components:
Component A: Micro-analysis of NTBs: (Surveying done in collaboration with Dalberg Research)
- Collaborate with the EAC Secretariat and NMCs to identify and prioritise NTBs, as well as development of NTB classifications;
- Piloting of Traders Survey at selected Border Posts;
- Implementation of Traders & Private Sector Survey to collect baseline data;
- Policy-makers Survey;
- Development of a Cost-Benefit Analysis Framework for use by the NMCs;
- Comprehensive analysis of NTB impacts on trade;
Component B: Training Programme for NMCs (Delivered in collaboration with Trapca)
- Gap Analysis and Needs Assessment of NMC Capacity;
- Development of Training Programme (including Training of Trainers Manual and Facilitator’s Guide);
- Tailoring Training Programme to each NMC;
- Delivery of Training Materials;
Component C: Development of ICT-based NTB Reporting & Monitoring Mechanism
- Baseline and stock take of current reporting, consultation and needs assessment;
- Design of System Specifications;
- Piloting
Component D: EAC NTB Toolkit & Factbook (Delivered in collaboration with Trapca)
- Toolkit & Factbook Development
- Establishment of Knowledge Hub ICT Portal (Hosted by Trapca)