The East African Community (EAC) has launched a campaign called “MARKUP: Growing agri-export markets” to raise awareness about the trade opportunities created through the EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP). The campaign aims to provide information and tools on agri-export trade to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), co-operatives, farmers, and government entities in the EAC. Since its inception in 2018, MARKUP has generated resources for the growth of agri-exports in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The programme has also contributed to stronger quality infrastructure in the region by harmonizing standards and frameworks for intra-regional trade in food products. SMEs in the agriculture sector face constraints such as lack of market information, cumbersome customs procedures, and poor connectivity. The MARKUP campaign is being implemented by GIZ with support from various organizations including the International Trade Centre and Oxfam.
