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The East African Community and TradeMark Africa introduced the EAC NTBs App, funded by the Netherlands, to tackle non-tariff barriers and enhance regional trade. The app facilitates easy reporting, monitoring, and resolution of cross-border trade issues, supporting producers and traders.

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, in partnership with TradeMark Africa, on Saturday 9^th December 2023 unveiled the EAC NTBs App, a cutting-edge mobile application created to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in an effort to promote regional trade.

By making it easier for traders to report, monitor, and resolve issues that arise when conducting cross-border business, this innovative application has the potential to completely change the trade environment in the area. The Netherlands provided funding through TradeMark Africa to enable the development of the EAC NTBs App.

The EAC NTBs App is a complete solution for the efficient reporting of trade-related Non-Tariff Barriers, combining phone, email, and SMS reporting features. It attempts to support producers and traders in resolving problems that impact their competitiveness and efficiency in trade. By utilizing a number of technical and policy mechanisms, such as National Focal Points, National Monitoring Committees (NMCs), and Regional Monitoring Committees (RMC), the app also guarantees transparency and quick problem resolution.

At the launch event, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs, emphasized the significance of the app in creating a seamless trading environment across the EAC region. She noted the app’s role in empowering traders and producers by providing a unified platform to address and resolve NTBs.

The Deputy Secretary General highlighted the crucial importance of removing NTBs in promoting a more efficient and equitable trade environment. She identified procedural complexities and administrative hurdles as typical barriers that hinder the smooth flow of goods and services across borders.

Benedict Musengele, TradeMark Africa’s Director of Trade Policy and Trade Facilitation, underlined the organization’s dedication to creating a dynamic trade environment that supports regional integration and economic growth. In the context of digital trade, he characterized the app as a strategic solution.

NTBs have historically presented difficulties for producers and dealers, lowering earnings and restricting access to markets. Based on the EAC Time Bound Programme report of 2023, the EAC has resolved 89.5% of reported NTBs since 2017. This is a significant accomplishment in this area.

The EAC NTBs App supports reporting in English, Swahili, and French and is available for download on the Apple Store, Google’s Play Store, and other Android platforms. This app is a major step towards enhancing the business environment in the region and effectively resolving NTBs.