The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)-led project on ‘Raising Awareness on Trade Facilitation in Africa, aimed to address key trade barriers hindering the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This initiative focused on improving MSME capacity, streamlining policy coordination, and promoting regional integration.

To achieve these objectives, the project combined policy research, targeted training, and a regional workshop, equipping both MSMEs and policymakers with the necessary tools to navigate trade facilitation challenges.

The project assessed the regulatory landscape, implementation gaps, and key obstacles to seamless intra-African trade, providing solutions for reducing non-tariff barriers (NTBs), harmonizing customs procedures, and increasing digital trade efficiency.

Key Activities conducted by Imani Development:

1. Development of Policy Briefs – Imani produced two policy briefs namely;
• Overcoming Trade Facilitation Barriers for MSMEs, which outlined key challenges such as burdensome Rules of Origin (RoO), compliance costs, and certification requirements.
• Overcoming Trade Facilitation Challenges for Policymakers, which provided recommendations for enhancing inter-agency coordination, digitalizing customs procedures, and reducing trade costs.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Sharing – The project engaged regional economic communities (RECs), government agencies, and private sector representatives to ensure alignment with AfCFTA trade policies and national trade facilitation strategies.

3. Regional Trade Facilitation Capacity Building Workshop (November 2024, Ghana) – A high-level workshop trained MSMEs and policymakers on navigating trade barriers, improving customs processes, and leveraging digital trade solutions.

Read more from the final report; Enhancing Trade Facilitation in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices for Economic Growth and Regional Integration prepared by Imani’s senior associate, Cyril Prinsloo and Kayo Asiko.