Arusha. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) has awarded a grant of $399,900 (Sh1.09 billion) to The East African Business Council (EABC) to promote intra-East African Community (EAC) agri-food cross-border trade.
This three-year project will focus on benefiting 2,440 youth and women involved in cross-border trade.
Funded by the Mastercard Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the new initiative, titled “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to Trade,” will be implemented in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA).
The project aims to enhance food security, increase employment opportunities for youth and women, and boost farmers’ incomes across key East African trade corridors, including Taveta/Holili, Malaba, Busia/Elegu, Serari, Kibirizi/Kigoma, Mutukula/Kagera, and Tunduma/Mbeya.
According to a statement from EABC, the partnership is designed to increase the participation of women and youth-led agri-food traders and to amplify the volume of trade in key products such as maize, maize flour, rice, beans, soybeans, and horticulture.
“The three-year project will empower approximately 2,440 youth and women-led cross-border traders by addressing non-tariff barriers to reduce the cost and time associated with trading agri-food products,” the statement noted. “We will provide training on using trade facilitation tools such as the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and trade portals, and establish digital trade information booths at border points.”
The grant from Agra, supported by Mastercard Foundation and BMGF, will enable EABC to lead efforts in resolving trade barriers through public-private dialogues at border points. Additionally, an annual assessment will track progress through the development of an EAC NTB Index (NTBI).
Governments involved will play a crucial role by engaging in dialogues and adopting reforms based on the findings from case studies and the NTB Index.
This partnership reflects a significant step towards enhancing regional trade and economic integration within East Africa, with a focus on empowering women and youth in the agri-food sector.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
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“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
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