Tripartite Simplified Trade Regime Spotlighted as Driver of Regional Integration
Partner and Member States of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have identified the Tripartite Simplified Trade Regime (TSTR) as a key mechanism to deepen regional integration by transforming cross-border trade.
The announcement was made during the Policy Dialogue Forum, held on 18–19 February in Nairobi, which brought together umbrella civil society organisations (CSOs) and business apex bodies.
The TSTR is a regional trade facilitation framework designed to make cross-border trade simpler, faster, more efficient and affordable particularly for small-scale traders, women and youth while strengthening economic opportunities across the Tripartite region.
The initiative aligns with Africa’s broader continental agenda, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and ongoing regional integration efforts across COMESA, EAC and SADC.
Ms Flavia Busingye, Director of Trade and Customs at the EAC and Chairperson of the Tripartite Task Force (TTF), represented by Ms Prisca Mbaga, stressed the importance of uniting member states to pursue a shared vision of economic transformation.
“Through practical collaboration and sustained advocacy, regional integration can deliver tangible socio-economic benefits for citizens,” she said, highlighting the critical role of partnerships with non-state actors including civil society, business associations, farmers’ organisations, trade unions, women’s organisations, and youth networks.
Mr Dhunraj Kassee, SADC Director of Industrial Development and Trade, highlighted the Task Force’s role in harmonising procedures, reducing non-tariff barriers, improving border coordination, enhancing transparency, and creating safer and more accessible trade systems across the Tripartite region.
Dr Christopher Onyango, Director of Trade at COMESA, and Mr Protase Echessa of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), welcomed the strong collaboration, noting that the TSTR complements the AfCFTA’s goal of a single continental market. They emphasised the need for innovative instruments to maximise benefits for small businesses and regional stakeholders.
The Forum featured presentations on current Simplified Trade Regimes (STRs) in the three RECs and the harmonised TSTR, with discussions focusing on advocacy priorities, the role of civil society, and collaborative opportunities with RECs and Member States.
Supported by AGRA through technical and financial assistance, the TSTR aims to strengthen agricultural markets, support smallholder farmers, and enable policy reforms aligned with Tripartite objectives.
Full implementation is expected to ease cross-border trading, lower costs and barriers, create opportunities for small businesses, and foster inclusive regional cooperation.
The Policy Dialogue Forum concluded with targeted recommendations for RECs, Member and Partner States, and non-state actors, emphasising harmonisation, awareness, labour protections, accountability, gender inclusion, and capacity building to sustain momentum and ensure the TSTR delivers inclusive economic benefits.
The Forum was attended by representatives from civil society, youth networks, women’s organisations, labour movements, business councils, farmers’ associations, and the Tripartite Task Force.
