EABC and AGRA partner to boost intra-EAC agri-food trade

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The East African Business Council (EABC) has partnered with AGRA on a new project titled “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Trade.”

The initiative aims to increase agri-food trade, particularly maize, rice, beans, soybeans, and horticulture, across key East African trade corridors while empowering women and youth-led traders.

Backed by a USD 399,900 grant from AGRA, with funding from Mastercard Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the three-year project will assist 2,440 traders by addressing NTBs, reducing trade costs, and cutting transaction times.

The initiative also includes public-private dialogues at border points and the establishment of an EAC NTB Index to track progress.

Targeted corridors include Taveta/Holili, Malaba, Busia/Elegu, and others. The project will support food security, employment, and farmer incomes across the region.