Nairobi, May 26, 2023 – The International Trade Centre (ITC) has officially announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), based in Nairobi. The agreement aims to contribute to the establishment of a unique trade label, according to the ITC.

The proposed mark is anticipated to play a crucial role in supporting efforts to enhance trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Spanning 54 countries and connecting approximately 1.3 billion people, the AfCFTA is recognized as the world’s largest free trade area, with a combined gross domestic product valued at an impressive US$3.4 trillion.

TC and ARSO Join Forces to Establish Trade Label for African Continental Free Trade Area

The United Kingdom has previously pledged £35 billion in government support for the AfCFTA. Moreover, the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) has formed partnerships with various African organizations, including the ITC, to facilitate trade capacity building programs. These initiatives are designed to help governments maximize the opportunities arising from the development of the trade area.

Sylivia Nalwanga, a trade consultant at IOE&IT, hailed the ITC-ARSO MOU as a positive development for African trade. Nalwanga emphasized that the introduction of new standards, supported by the AfCFTA, will enable businesses to showcase the quality of their products to both local and international buyers. The IOE&IT expressed its support for these efforts and pledged to continue assisting African governments and businesses through training, qualifications, and digital initiatives such as the Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP).

The TLIP, a digital trade corridor created by TradeMark Africa and the IOE&IT, has been specifically developed to facilitate the movement of goods between the United Kingdom and Kenya. In partnership with the ITC, the IOE&IT also offers a Level 3 Certificate and a Level 4 Diploma in International Trade in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The ITC-ARSO MOU reaffirms their collaborative partnership for an additional five years, extending until 2028. As stated on the African Union’s AfCFTA website, this renewed agreement reflects the growing global trend toward adopting sustainability standards to demonstrate commitment to environmental, social, ethical, and food safety practices.

Under the renewed MOU, ARSO and ITC will work together on designing the Made in Africa label and devising a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote its widespread adoption. The organizations also aim to raise awareness and encourage the use of the Eco Mark Africa ecolabel, which certifies the sustainability of products.

During the MOU signing ceremony, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, the Secretary General of ARSO, expressed his belief that this agreement will “accelerate standardisation activities to increase the competitiveness of African enterprises” and “pave the way for Made in Africa goods and services.” Pamela Coke-Hamilton, the Executive Director of ITC, emphasized that this partnership will “support the harmonisation of standards and reduce barriers to trade under the AfCFTA.”

With the ITC and ARSO joining forces, the future of African trade looks promising, fostering economic growth and encouraging sustainable practices across the continent.