Regional Trade Focal Persons from five Horn of Africa countries: Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, convened in Nairobi to validate the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Trade Facilitation Roadmap, marking a significant step towards strengthening regional trade and economic integration.
The five year roadmap will be tabled for ministerial approval in September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, representing a collective commitment that has long hindered cross-border trade in the region.
The HoAI aims to enhance regional connectivity and strengthen economic cooperation, as the region continues to face persistent barriers, including high logistics costs, fragmented regulatory systems and widespread informality that will continue to hinder the region’s competitiveness and limit the full potential of cross-border trade.
It is also designed to provide practical interventions that will strengthen efficiency, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness across Africa’s most strategically important corridors.
The validation process underscores the commitment of HoAI member states and partners to building a more connected, resilient and competitive regional economy.
The HoAI Trade Facilitation Roadmap proposes a series of targeted measures where streamlined customs and border procedures will reduce delays and improve transparency. It will lower transport costs and improve connectivity across the five nations, ensuring inclusivity.
