Horn of Africa countries move to cut trade barriers, boost regional commerce

Nairobi, Kenya - Trade ministers from the Horn of Africa have taken steps to eliminate trade barriers and enhance regional commerce by forming a regional committee dedicated to coordinating reforms. Kenya's Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui participated in the signing of a joint declaration alongside other ministers at a committee establishment ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The newly formed Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Regional Trade Facilitation Committee will bring together national trade facilitation committees from the participating countries to work towards more efficient cross-border trade. The committee, guided by a five-year trade facilitation road map, will spearhead the implementation of regional reforms, promote the sharing of experiences and best practices, and support countries in designing and implementing regulatory procedures.

This move aims to deepen regional economic integration, boost intra-regional trade, and contribute to overall economic development across the Horn of Africa by addressing the administrative and regulatory obstacles that often make cross-border commerce costly and time-consuming.