{
  "id": 2169488,
  "title": "IGAD urges stronger information sharing to boost cross-border trade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/igad-urges-stronger-information-sharing-to-boost-cross-border-trade",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T15:44:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/igad-urges-stronger-information-sharing-to-boost-cross-border-trade/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has urged for enhanced cross-border information sharing to break down trade barriers and enhance food security throughout the Horn of Africa. During the launch of a two-day consultative meeting in Nairobi, IGAD's Head of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Ismail Garo, stressed that timely market data is essential in eliminating information gaps for farmers and opening up regional investment. Garo explained that access to transparent cross-border data on supply, demand, and prices empowers producers to optimize planting schedules, target high-yield markets, and negotiate equitable returns, while simultaneously lowering costly transactions. \"Providing this real-time information to farmers eradicates information asymmetry problems, reduces transaction costs, and makes it easier for foreign investors to spot opportunities across the region,\" Garo remarked. IGAD asserts that improved market intelligence will lower transaction costs, boost transparency, and render regional markets more predictable for farmers, traders, and investors. Garo added that enhanced information sharing would also help mitigate market risks by providing a clearer view of market size and opportunities across member states. The Government of Kenya, represented by Daniel Wachira, Head of Trade Facilitation at the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Industry, pointed out that the network's success hinges on the clear identification of cross-border trade challenges from the outset. Wachira urged member states to take ownership of the initiative for its long-term viability and relevance, urging stakeholders to leverage the platform to strengthen regional markets, foster resilient food systems, and back the IGAD region's development goals. Wachira called for the creation of an inclusive, technically robust, and responsive platform to meet the needs of member states, traders, and agricultural value chains. He emphasized that the network should deliver tangible and measurable benefits to cross-border traders and regional food systems. The proposed knowledge-sharing mechanism aims to tackle issues such as fragmented market information, limited coordination, and limited access to reliable trade data. Stakeholders affirm that the platform could aid small-scale farmers and traders by improving access to market intelligence, easing trade barriers, and promoting better planning across agricultural value chains.",
  "summary": "The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called for structured, cross-border market intelligence sharing to dismantle trade barriers and bolster food security across the Horn of Africa. Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday during the opening of a two-day consultative meeting to establish the IGAD Cross-Border Trade Knowledge-Sharing Network, IGAD Head of Trade, Industry and Tourism…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}