The East African Community (EAC) has marked a significant advancement in its efforts to eliminate Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) with the introduction of the EAC NTBs App. This pioneering application seeks to revolutionize the trading landscape of the region by simplifying the reporting, monitoring, and resolution of challenges faced by cross-border traders.
The EAC NTBs App seamlessly integrates SMS, email, and phone reporting methods, providing economic operators with a comprehensive solution for effectively reporting NTBs. By streamlining the NTB reporting process, the app is positioned to assist traders and producers in overcoming obstacles that impede trade efficiency and competitiveness. It ensures transparency and expedites issue resolution by engaging technical and policy-level mechanisms, including National Focal Points, the National Monitoring Committees (NMCs), and the Regional Monitoring Committee (RMC).
Non-Tariff Barriers have long posed a significant challenge for traders and producers, impacting profits and limiting market access. These barriers encompass issues such as discriminatory requirements for special licenses and permits, complex customs procedures, and bureaucratic delays at borders.
According to a recent report from the EAC Regional Meeting Committee (RMC) in 2023, NTBs incur direct costs of USD 16.7 million, with a total trade impact of USD 94.9 million resulting in an average trade reduction of 58.0%. Nevertheless, the EAC has made substantial progress in addressing NTBs, with a resolution rate of 89.5% since 2017, as reported in the EAC Time Bound Programme report of 2023.
The data reveals a consistent decrease in reported NTBs over the years, with an annual range of 8 to 11 cases between 2021 and 2023. Importantly, the resolution time has improved significantly, averaging 88.3 days for NTBs reported during this period.
Between June 2022 and June 2023, the EAC received a total of 16 NTB complaints, of which 9 have been resolved, and 7 are still in progress. While a substantial portion (56.3%) of complaints were addressed within the stipulated timeframe, 43.6% were still pending resolution by the end of June 2023.
The EAC NTBs App facilitates reporting in English, Swahili, and French, offering users a user-friendly experience. It is available for download on the Apple Store, Google’s Play Store, and various Android devices. During the app’s launch, EAC Deputy Secretary General Annette Ssemuwemba, responsible for Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs, emphasized its significance in creating a seamless trading environment across the EAC region. She expressed optimism, stating, “This innovative solution serves as a powerful tool to empower traders, producers, and economic operators, offering them a unified platform to promptly address and resolve NTBs. It is our hope that this will be the turning point in effectively identifying and swiftly resolving NTBs in the region.”
