EABC: Address information barriers for youth enterprises

DAR ES SALAAM: THE East African Business Council (EABC) has underscored the need to address barriers related to trade training and information access to promote the growth of youth-led enterprises and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

Overcoming the challenges is essential for enhancing the competitiveness of these businesses, enabling them to tap into regional and international markets and driving economic development across East Africa.

EABC Manager – Trade in Goods, Mr Frank Dafa, emphasised the point during a training boot camp for youths on trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Dar es Salaam. The event was organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC).

“This training aligns perfectly with the EABC’s mission to promote intra-regional trade and build a competitive, export-driven East African economy,” he stated.

He added: “It is not just a learning opportunity—it is a call to action for each of you to embrace cross-border trade, build networks and become ambassadors of intra-African trade.”

According to an ITC survey, 60-70 per cent of SMEs rated their access to trade information as low or very low. The training programme aims to bridge this gap by equipping young business leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills.

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With Africa’s 400 million youths serving as the backbone of the continent’s economies, they are key to unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA.

Currently, intra-African trade accounts for just 18 per cent of the continent’s total trade.

However, AfCFTA is expected to increase intra-African trade by 52.3 per cent by eliminating import duties and could potentially double this figure by reducing non-tariff barriers.

Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania’s participation in the Guided Trade Initiative showcases the benefits of cross-border trade. Success stories, such as Ms Happiness Nyiti’s export of Tanzanian sisal fibers to Ghana, illustrate the opportunities available under the AfCFTA framework.

Since the commencement of tariff-free trade under the AfCFTA in January 2021, there has been an unprecedented opportunity to reshape Africa’s trade landscape.

The World Bank estimates that full implementation of the AfCFTA could boost regional incomes by 450 billion US dollars and lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035.

This training initiative is part of a larger collaboration between the EABC and ITC under the EU–EAC MARKUP II project. The programme aims to improve market access and export competitiveness for over 400 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as women and youth-led enterprises across various regional value chains.

“Together, we aim to build the skills and capacity of our entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive under the AfCFTA,” Mr Dafa noted.