| Continental (AU / AfCFTA) | AU | Continental Integration | Abuja Treaty – African Economic Community | Trade & investment | Legal foundation for AfCFTA; SPS/NTB alignment | In force (1994) | Drives market unification; SPS harmonisation uneven | Prepare for continent-wide SPS/organic norms; organise to scale production for pan-African markets. |
| AU | Strategic Vision | Agenda 2063 | Sustainable agriculture & trade | Political 50-yr plan; 10-yr targets | Ongoing | Green/agroecology pillars underfunded; weak data | Use Agenda 2063 to lobby for incentives, infrastructure & inclusion in national plans. |
| AU | Movement of Persons | Protocole on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment | Labour, Investment | Promoting free movement for agroecological professionals and businesses | 2018 | Ratification is slow; implementation is hampered by national labor laws | Facilitates recruitment of qualified agronomists/experts across EAC borders; enables investment and land access |
| AU | Non-Tariff Barriers | Continental NTB Reporting, Monitoring and Elimination Mechanism | Trade, Facilitation | Digital tool for reporting and tracking obstacles (corruption, excessive customs procedures, unjustified quarantines) in trade | 2019 | Essential for transparency; use is still limited by SMEs | Immediately report any border obstacle affecting fresh or organic products; use the platform for advocacy |
| AU | Financing/Investment | Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) | Finance, Trade | Provides trade finance (letters of credit, guarantees) and supports trade-related infrastructure projects | 2019 | Major source of project finance; difficult access for small structures | Seek to obtain Bank guarantees for export; target Afreximbank funds for the development of sustainable value chain infrastructure |
| AU | Digital/ICT | AU Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) | Innovation, Traceability | Aims to create a single digital market to support trade and innovation. | 2020 | Serves as a guide for harmonizing data protection and e-commerce laws. | Integrate into digital traceability and certification systems; use e-commerce for cross-border trade |
| AU | Legal/Trade | Protocol on Rules and Procedures for the Settlement of Disputes | Commercial Security, Trade Liberalization | Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) | In Force 2019. | A fundamental pillar ensuring trade commitments are legally enforceable. Gaps/Action Points: Effectiveness depends on the speed | Provides Safety against unfair NTBs.Urgent Protection for perishables (10-day consultation/20-day panel request). Creates Investment Security through legal predictability. |
| AU | Legal/Trade | AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade (and its 8 Annexes) | Digital Revolution, Market Access, FinTech, Data Transfer, Cybersecurity | Harmonized Digital Trade Ecosystem | 2024 | Digital revolution for unlocking the vast untapped market potential for digital services in agriculture. It requires urgent harmonization of national legislation and establishing a robust cybersecurity and consumer protection framework. | Facilitates Direct and fair market access by passing intermediaries. Enables Financial inclusion via FinTech (credit access). Promotes Precision Agriculture (AgriTech) through secure data transfer (prices, weather, best practices). Enables Traceability (e.g., via blockchain) to strengthen consumer confidence. Action: Producers must acquire digital skills and integrate with e-commerce platforms. |
| AfCFTA | Trade in Goods | AfCFTA Agreement & Protocol on Trade in Goods | Tariffs, NTBs, RoO, SPS | Tariff liberalisation (97% lines), NTB portal | In force 2019; trade since 2021 | NTB reporting underused; RoO schedules incomplete | Claim zero/low tariffs if RoO met; report NTBs; push for organic/SPS MRAs to cut compliance costs. |
| AfCFTA | Trade in Services | AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services | Logistics, finance, certification | Service liberalisation (transport, finance, ICT) | In force 2019 | Commitments are partial; mutual recognition is slow | Cheaper cross-border logistics, finance & certifiers ? use PAPSS & regional e-certification. |
| AfCFTA | Inclusive Trade | AfCFTA Protocol on Women & Youth in Trade | Women/youth empowerment | Training, finance, policy inclusion | Adopted 2023 | Not yet operationalised in all states | Women/youth agro-SMEs can seek grants/training & inclusion in AfCFTA committees. |
| AfCFTA | Investment | AfCFTA Protocol on Investment | Green & sustainable agri-investment | Responsible investment rules | Adopted 2023; pending ratifications | Ratification is slow; no green finance incentives | Advocate for eco-investment incentives; attract green funds once ratified. |
| AfCFTA | Competition | AfCFTA Protocol on Competition Policy Protocol | Market fairness | Anti-monopoly rules | Adopted 2023; pending | The African Competition Authority is not yet active | Monitor for buyer power abuses; CSOs can report unfair practices hurting smallholders. |
| AfCFTA | IPR | AfCFTA IP Rights | GIs, TK, seed rights | Protects origin & farmer knowledge | Adopted 2023; pending | GI systems fragmented; farmer rights weak | Register geographical indications (GIs); protect traditional seeds & branding. |
| Regional (EAC) | EAC | Market Integration | Treaty Establishing the EAC | Agriculture, trade, environment | Legal order; SPS/TBT co-op; NTB removal | In force 2000 | Domestication is uneven, especially. SPS/organic | Check each state’s transposed SPS & organic rules before exporting. |
| EAC | Customs & Tariffs | Customs Union Protocol | Goods trade | CET, STR, NTB mechanism | In force 2005 | CET derogations; NTB portal underused | Use STR & SCO to save costs; watch CET updates on inputs/packaging. |
| EAC | Services & Mobility | Common Market Protocol | Labour, capital, services | Free movement; MRAs | In force 2010 | Skills & certifier MRAs slow | Certification/logistics providers may face barriers ? plan lead time. |
| EAC | Payments & Finance | Monetary Union Protocol | Payments, FX | Single currency roadmap | 2013 ? | Convergence delayed | Plan for FX risks & multi-currency costs. |
| EAC | Environment & Natural Resources | Protocol on Environment & NR | Soil, biodiversity | Sustainability duties | In force 2006 | Weak enforcement | Can brand eco-practices; lobby for soil/water incentives. |
| EAC | Customs Modernisation | EAC Customs Management Act (rev. 2019) | Perishables clearance | OSBPs, RECTS, and advance rulings | Rev. 2019 | SPS is not fully integrated | Request advance tariff/SPS rulings; use OSBPs to cut delays. |
| EAC | Standards & Quality | SQMTAct, 2006 | Standards, conformity | EASC harmonisation & marks | In force 2006 | Varying uptake | Seek the EAC mark to avoid retesting in each country. |
| EAC | SPS | EAC SPS Measures | Food/plant health | Risk-based SPS | Since 2013 | Coordination uneven | Obtain EAC-aligned SPS certs early; anticipate pest-risk analysis. |
| EAC | NTB Elimination | EAC NTB Act, 2017 | Internal trade | Legal removal & penalties | In force 2017 | SME reporting low | Report NTBs online/SMS; collective action speeds resolution. |
| EAC | MSME Facilitation | Simplified Regime & SCO Guide | Small consignment | STR/SCO | Ongoing | Underused, esp. women/youth | Small traders: use STR lists/SCO to save duty & avoid harassment. |
| EAC | Vision & Strategy | EAC Vision 2050 | Agri-modernization | Strategic roadmap | Ongoing | Agroecology not mainstreamed | Push to include agroecology in 5-year plans, infrastructure support. |
| EAC | Governance/Transparency | EAC Communication Policy and Strategy (CPS) | Transparency, Citizen Engagement, Policy Awareness | Information Dissemination and Dialogue Framework | 2014 Effective immediately. | Information Dissemination and Transparency | Reduction of business risks by providing clear information on trade rules (Rules of Origin, SPS standards, customs tariffs). Access to market opportunities (financing, calls for tenders) and Transparency on Funds. Allows producers to influence the harmonization of regulations (e.g., organic labeling) through participation in consultations. |
| EAC | Governance/Statistics | EAC Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS III) (2022/23 – 2026/27) | Data, Planning, Resilience | Statistical Framework Harmonization/Modernization | In Force: 2022/23. | Statistical System Modernization | Data transparency supports agroecology, justifying funding and strengthening certification. |
| | Strategic Planning/Integration | Sixth EAC Development Strategy (2021-2026) | Stability, Resilience, Infrastructure, Governance | Consolidating Integration Stages (Customs Union, Common Market) | Adopted: Feb 26, 2021. In Force: July 1, 2021 (2021/22 – 2025/26) | Aims to transform the EAC into a "stable, competitive and sustainable lower-middle-income region by 2030." Gaps/Action Points: Requires full implementation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT). Need to complete the Common Market (free movement of services/persons) and prioritize infrastructure for vital agroecological corridors | Leads to Reduced transaction costs and post-harvest losses through SCT and improved infrastructure. Provides Investment security via macroeconomic convergence (monetary stability). Guarantees a stable and predictable business environment (peace/security). |
| Kenya | National | Standards | Standards Act & KEBS | Quality & certification | Mandatory KEBS mark/testing | Current | Costly for SMEs | Budget for KEBS tests & labelling to avoid seizures. |
| | SPS/Seeds | KEPHIS Act 2012 | Plant health/seeds | Phytosanitary & seed reg. | 2012 | Updates ongoing | Secure phyto certs & seed reg before export. |
| | Inputs/Pesticides | Pest Control Products Act | Input safety | Registration/license | 1982 (rev.) | Enforcement & counterfeit action | Only registered biopesticides/inputs accepted. |
| | Soil/Agroecology | Soil Management Policy 2023 | Soil health | Incentives & extension | 2023 | Rollout early stage | May unlock subsidies/training for soil-friendly farming. |
| | Organic/EOA | EOA Sector Strategy 2018-23 | Organic markets | Sector plan/EAOPS | 2018-23 | Pilots; EAOPS uptake | Leverage EAOPS to access buyers; plan for private certs too. |
| Uganda | National | Organic | National Organic Agriculture Policy | Organic exports | Policy & support | 2019 | Scaling certification | Tap support programs; co-op for lower cert costs. |
| | Standards | UNBS Act & Amend. | Standards | UNBS cert & enforcement | 1983+2013 | Active updates | Obtain UNBS S-Mark & monitor updates. |
| | SPS | Plant Protection & Health Act 2015 | Plant health | Phyto cert/pest risk | 2015 | Core SPS | Apply phyto early; maintain pest control records. |
| | Seeds | Seeds & Plant Act + Regs | Seeds & planting | Certification/licensing | 2007+2017 | Functional | Meet seed licensing to avoid seizure. |
| Tanzania | National | Standards & Food | Standards Act & TBS | Standards, food safety | TBS mark/inspections | 2009?2019 | TFDA functions moved to TBS | Plan for TBS approvals & food safety inspections. |
| Rwanda | National | Food Safety | Law No. 003/2018 – Rwanda FDA | Food/drugs | FDA enforcement | 2018 | In force | Food exports need Rwanda FDA clearance + RSB S-Mark. |
| | Standards | Law No. 50/2013 – RSB | Standards | RSB + S-Mark | 2013 | Clear roles FDA/RSB | Align labels & tests to RSB specs. |
| Burundi | National | Standards/Labels | BBN FOP Nutrition Guidance | Food labelling | FOP nutrition label | 2025 | Rolling out | Prepare nutrition/FOP panels to avoid re-labelling at the border. |
| National | SPS/Pesticides Regulation | N°1/04, 2021, emending Law N°1/08, 2018 on managementof pesticides in Burundi | All pesticide management activities | Legal framework to guarantee the quality, efficacy, and safety of pesticides and reduce risks. Creates ABREVPA for management. | In since 2018, Rev. 2021) | Establishes a strict regulatory framework for all pesticide-related activities (import, sale, use). | To reduce risks to health and the environment favors the use of less toxic inputs. Agroecological producers benefit from the strict regulation of synthetic pesticides. |
| | | | Agriculture, Industry, Public Health/Hygiene | | | | |
| National | Sectoral Development Strategy | Agriculture national Strategy (2018-2027) | Sustainable agriculture &food security | | 2018 | In force | Strategic Axes: Sustainable Production Increase; Value Addition & Market Access; Institutional Strengthening |
| South Sudan | National | Standards | NBS Act 2012 | Standards/metrology | SSNBS setup | 2012 | Gradual rollout | Expect import inspections & CBCA; budget extra clearance time. |
| DRC | National | Standards/Food | OCC Standards & Codex reliance | Food inspection | OCC control, weak exports | Ongoing | Capacity gaps | Importers: plan OCC inspections; exporters: self-assure quality. |
| Somalia | National | Standards | Somali Standards & Quality Act 2020 | Standards & CBCA | SoBS authority | 2020? | CBCA scaling | Confirm SoBS specs & CBCA before shipping. |
