Morocco Fights Illegal Imports from Ceuta

Morocco is building a free trade economic zone in the northern town of Fnideq, near the Spanish-administered enclave city of Ceuta, in a bid to reduce illegal imports. Smuggling through Ceuta has been significant. The value of smuggled goods entering Morocco through the Ceuta border at between US$620 million and US$800 million per year, resulting in substantial losses in unpaid duties. In contrast, Ceuta’s legal exports to Morocco are...

North Africa Read more...

East African Countries Introduce Stricter Checks on Cargo Movement

The East African states of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have introduced stricter cargo movement measures aimed at containing the cross-border spread of Covid-19, following a rise in cases attributed to contamination by cross-border truck drivers. In Kenya, the Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) mandated all cargo truck drivers and their crew subject themselves to virus screening at border points. Furthermore, the KRA requires that all traders ensure...

Business Outlook, East Africa Read more...

Nigeria's Booming Consumer Market

Nigeria has been making steady progress in diversifying its economy away from the oil sector. In light of the Nigerian government’s “Nigeria Vision 20: 2020”, it aims to increase the share of the manufacturing sector in economic output to 15-30% and the services sector to 45-75%, while lowering the shares of agriculture and oil. Aside from providing sources of economic growth, diversification also helps the country reduce...

West Africa Read more...

Facts You Must Know About the Nigerian Market

Nigeria is a key African market, accounting for almost half of West Africa’s population, and the country boasts one of the largest youth populations in the world. The country also has an abundance of natural resources, with vast oil and gas reserves, and significant agricultural potential. Nigeria is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 1971.  Nigeria ranks as the largest oil...

West Africa Read more...

Djibouti: East Africa’s Emerging Trading Hub

Home to a small population of less than one million, Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in East Africa, strategically located at the mouth of the Red Sea. With few natural resources and little industrial activities, Djibouti’s economy depends heavily on logistics services and trade through its international port.  In a bid to transform itself into a commercial trading hub for the broader region, the country has...

Business Outlook, East Africa Read more...

Africa Might Emerge As A Major Supplier of Halal Food

With the Belt and Road Initiative poised to transform market access across Asia, potential partnerships with African companies are opening as they seek to target Asian consumers. In particular, many South African halal food producers have high hopes that Hong Kong could prove the ideal gateway for boosting their exports across the region. By 2030, the global Muslim population is estimated to number some 2.2 billion, representing about a...

Business Outlook, Foodstuff & Beverages Read more...

China Builds Modern Infrastructure to Build New Trade Routes Across East Africa

In 1896, the British colonial government began construction of a narrow-gauge railway line from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa to Nairobi. Today, the railway builders are back. This time, it is China’s economic integration strategy in East Africa that is behind the construction of a new rapid rail link between Mombasa and Nairobi. The new line, due to reach the Kenyan capital by 2018, will eventually extend to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and...

Business Outlook, East Africa Read more...

New Rules to Ease Importing Goods into Kenya

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has released a new set of standards intended to improve the efficiency and accountability of importing into Kenya. KAM said that it has created the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) guide, released on 18 November 2020, to facilitate trade and boost the fight against illegal imports in order to enhance the ease of doing business in the country. The SOPs are intended to serve as a...

East Africa Read more...