Women traders get cash boost at Kobero–Kabanga OSBP

A new initiative spearheaded by the East African Business Council and AGRA is providing financial and operational support to over 65 women and youth traders at the Kobero–Kabanga One Stop Border Post. The program focuses on overcoming trade obstacles by offering guidance on the East African Community Simplified Trade Regime and establishing a dedicated information desk to assist small-scale entrepreneurs. Officials from both Tanzania and Burundi have expressed their commitment to reducing non-tariff barriers and ensuring that regional trade policies are more accessible to local participants. Representatives from the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce highlighted the ongoing need for better infrastructure and specialized training in agricultural value addition. Local traders have already begun reporting improvements in their business management and financial planning skills as a result of the intervention. This effort aims to empower small-scale merchants to navigate cross-border regulations more effectively and expand their market reach.

This initiative is significant because it addresses systemic barriers that prevent women and youth from participating in the East African Common Market, thereby fostering regional economic inclusion.