Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) remain a major stumbling block to trade efficiency in the horticultural sector across Eastern and Southern Africa. These barriers, often hidden in bureaucratic processes and inconsistent regulations, delay shipments, increase costs, and ultimately impact farmers’ incomes and regional economic growth. In response, a new push is underway to harmonize regulations and foster a more integrated horticultural market under the COMESA and EAC blocs.
At a recent regional horticulture workshop in Nairobi, stakeholders from both COMESA and EAC convened to assess and propose solutions to persistent NTBs affecting horticultural value chains. Participants emphasized the urgent need for actionable interventions to unlock the full potential of regional trade in agriculture, a sector that sustains livelihoods and powers economies across member states.
Despite efforts to resolve NTBs, the problem remains acute. Intra-regional exports within COMESA dropped by over 11% in 2020, largely attributed to NTB-related inefficiencies. While 95% of reported NTBs in the EAC have been resolved on paper, implementation gaps and fragmented regulatory frameworks continue to restrict smooth trade flows.
Traders often face excessive delays ranging from just a couple of hours to nearly two weeks due to compliance tasks rooted in inefficiencies such as lack of digital reporting tools, poor infrastructure, and inconsistent standards for seeds and agricultural inputs. Low ICT adoption among smallholder farmers and limited access to real-time trade information compound these challenges.
In addressing these issues, a series of concrete proposals have been developed. These include launching digital NTB reporting systems via SMS or mobile applications, establishing “Lean Corridors” such as a Nairobi-Kigali route with a target clearance time of 48 hours, and finalizing Mutual Recognition Agreements for seeds, fertilizers, and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. Other proposals involve digitizing essential trade documentation, integrating NTB alerts into existing farmer platforms like agri-wallets, and creating inclusive national NTB Monitoring Committees that represent youth, women, and small-scale producers.
The forum also called for the formation of a dedicated technical task force to monitor and ensure timely implementation of the proposed interventions. The aim is to pilot at least two Lean Corridor projects by early 2026 as a demonstration of commitment to real trade facilitation.
There was strong consensus that tackling NTBs is not only about easing trade but also about enhancing food security, empowering producers, and fostering regional integration. Moving forward, the success of these efforts hinges on coordinated policy action, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained commitment from all member states to remove structural obstacles and build a more seamless, competitive horticultural market in the region.
