Iris News
Author: NDORUKWIGIRA Franck Arnaud
On October 10, 2024, at the Rumonge port in southwestern Burundi, Jean Claude Ndibanje, a cross-border trader exporting avocados to the DRC, prepares to ship his cargo across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie. What should be a straightforward process is hindered by significant administrative delays at the port, extending the time required for goods to be released. “What should have been a simple formality has turned into a real obstacle course. If these avocados remain here for more than a day, they will rot, and I will go bankrupt,” Claude explains.
Compounding the issue, Rumonge port lacks refrigerated containers to preserve goods during these delays, creating challenges for agricultural producers seeking to transport their products across Lake Tanganyika without incurring losses.
Despite the challenges, Jean Claude remains optimistic. During our time together, I observed him using his smartphone to access an app known as the “EAC-NTB Reporting App.” Within minutes, he reports the excessive delays to the national committee tasked with addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in Burundi. Remarkably, in under three hours, his goods are cleared to board the night boat bound for Kalemie.
What exactly is the “EAC-NTB Reporting App”?
Officially launched on February 12, 2024, the East African Community unveiled a mobile application designed to mitigate non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and streamline trade in accordance with AfCFTA guidelines.
The EAC-NTBs app, which can be downloaded from Google Play, presents a comprehensive solution for the reporting, tracking, and resolution of NTBs encountered by traders in the region. It enables users to report barriers via text, email, or phone in English, French, or Swahili and offers access to vital technical and political resources, including national focal points, the Regional Monitoring Committee, and National Monitoring Committees dedicated to the elimination of NTBs.
Facilitating the Implementation of AfCFTA
From my experience with Claude, it is evident that the EAC-NTBs mobile application plays a crucial role in promoting free trade and advancing the implementation of AfCFTA within the East African Community. By enabling traders to identify, monitor, and report trade obstacles, this tool empowers those who are most familiar with the barriers affecting Burundi’s private sector and impeding economic growth.
The elimination of NTBs is a flagship concept of the AfCFTA, as these barriers reduce trade between member states by up to 58%. Such barriers often manifest as administrative hurdles or procedural complexities that complicate customs processes, resulting in excessive bureaucratic delays at border crossings.
Using the application, traders can report various issues they encounter, such as administrative and procedural barriers, import bans, licensing complications, rules of origin issues, lengthy customs processes, inadequate testing and inspection facilities, corruption, delayed goods release times, and ambiguous border procedures.
Thankfully, progress appears to be underway in Burundi. Following reports like that of Claude, a high-level workshop was held in August 2024 by the Prime Minister of Burundi to study the elimination of NTBs between Burundi and the DRC. This app marks a significant advancement in the simplifying and securing trade in the East African region, fostering a more dynamic and integrated economic landscape conducive to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.
