Building Capacity in Institutions
The agenda for international trade is changing fast, but many of Africa’s low-income countries struggle to find the technical expertise and resources needed to engage with this rapidly evolving agenda.
AfTra aims to strengthen capacity for policy and regulatory reforms and the domestication of new technologies for improved trade performance. We provide institutional, program and capacity building support to regional and national trade-related organizations to address these challenges. Approximately 15% of AfTra’s available fund is apportioned to this focus area.
Developing systems, increasing market access
Our strategic priority is aimed at building strong institutions with knowledgeable staff to effectively support trade facilitation systems and increased market access.
To maximize impact, our focus is on increasing the trade facilitation capacity of RECs, RMC government departments and agencies and trade-related private sector organizations (industry associations, business organizations, growers’ associations, chambers of commerce etc.). We do this through technical assistance, training, dialogue and consensus-building meetings and the provision of related technologies and software.
The Fund also provides resources to strengthen the collection and dissemination of trade data, including non-tariff measures.
Focused on outcomes
The projects in this focus area deliver outcomes that will benefit the flow and management of trade for years to come:
- Increased capacity to provide advice on applied trade policy, trade facilitation and agricultural standards by RECs, national governments and private sector organizations
- Leverage of AfTra with other funders in the areas of trade facilitation and agricultural trade development
- Improved coordination among RECs, RMCs and private sector organizations with regard to Aid for Trade in Africa
