AGMARK News & Updates

AGMARK Joins KCEP-CRAL ISLA Project Kenya Launch in Kakamega

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

AGMARK attended the KCEP-CRAL ISLA project Kenya launch at Kakamega Golf Hotel from January 13 to January 15, 2026, where stakeholders gathered to drive investments in soil health agroecology across priority counties. The ISLA project Kenya (Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health) is an EU and IFAD funded action with a €52.5 million budget, and it builds on the earlier KCEP-CRAL work to strengthen resilience and market links for smallholder farmers.

Also Read: AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade

KCEP-CRAL ISLA Project Kenya Launch Stakeholders

The launch brought together EU and IFAD representatives, PCU KCEP-CRAL SOIL officials, national and county Ministry of Agriculture officers, input suppliers, financial institutions, agrodealers, and farmer groups. Dr. Cosmas Munyeke of the PCU outlined a 30 month plan to reach six counties selected for climate vulnerability and agricultural potential. The counties named at the launch included:

Makueni
Kilifi
Embu
Trans Nzoia
Kakamega
Taita Taveta

Exhibitors demonstrated agroecological inputs and smallholder-friendly technologies, while farmers took part in training at demonstration stands. The launch reinforced how policy, research, finance, and private suppliers will link to improve soil management, and it aligned with regional calls for climate smart and regenerative practices seen across Eastern Africa. A large percentage all IFAD projects completed between 2018 and 2023 implemented agroecological practices, climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives of which informed several launch discussions.

Also Read: AGMARK, Jogoo FM Partner to Boost Cross-Border Trade in Busia, Uganda

AGMARK Role and Agrodealer Capacity Building

AGMARK will lead capacity building for KCEP-CRAL agrodealers, preparing training materials and conducting both technical and enterprise management sessions. At the launch, AGMARK CEO Allan Mukisira engaged exhibitors and certified agrodealers, underlining the organization’s role in accrediting and enrolling agrodealers into mobile e-voucher platforms and in supporting linkages with financial partners such as Equity Bank. AGMARK will be responsible for:

Developing training materials and master trainers
Enrolling agrodealers on mobile e-voucher platforms
Validating agrodealers and organizing ToT sessions
Set demonstration plots and farmer trainings

These actions address a persistent bottleneck in input distribution, because well-trained agrodealers expand access to agroecological inputs at last mile locations. AGMARK’s agrodealer training work builds on lessons from past programs that show a trained agrodealer network improves farmer access and input quality, which in turn strengthens marketable cereal volumes for traders and processors.

AGMARK’s training methodology draws on experience built across its wider programme portfolio, including the structured trade capacitation work established at the 2025 ESA Grain Trade Project launch in Nairobi, where AGMARK established its regional framework for training and market development.

Soil Health Challenges and Agroecological Practices

The ISLA project Kenya acknowledges major challenges in soil degradation and climate risk. Sub-Saharan Africa has lost significant land productivity to soil decline, and Kenya faces large areas of arid and semi-arid land, which creates an urgent need for regenerative approaches. Integrating soil testing, digital soil maps, organic fertilizer development, and integrated pest management will be key to reversing yield losses and increasing resilience. The project’s planned activities include stakeholder sensitization, recruitment of agroecological service providers, demonstration plots, and farmer cost sharing. The main goal is to:

Use digital soil mapping and testing to match interventions
Scale biofertilizers and bio-protection to reduce chemical dependence
Strengthen access to digital finance and e-voucher supply chains

International evidence supports these approaches. For example, FAO soil health strategies recommend integrated management to restore productivity, and the World Bank highlights the need for investment in soil fertility to sustain yields in Africa. By linking trained agrodealers, research institutions such as KALRO, finance partners, and farmer groups, the ISLA project aims to increase food production and improve nutrition while opening opportunities for traders to source higher quality, low-residue cereals that meet export and local market standards.

AGMARK’s participation at the launch and its mandate to train KCEP-CRAL agrodealers will help translate ISLA objectives into practical market-level change. Stakeholders now move to operationalize the activity work plan and enroll agrodealers and farmers; AGMARK encourages partners, agrodealers, and farmer groups to register for upcoming trainings and demonstrations so that local communities can benefit during the project’s 30 month lifespan.

AGMARK, Jogoo FM Partner to Boost Cross-Border Trade in Busia, Uganda

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A Media Partnership for Cross-Border Trade in Busia

AGMARK has officially partnered with Jogoo FM to accelerate the Busia Women Cross Border Trade Association (CBTA) membership drive across Uganda, with a strong focus on border communities in Busia. Jogoo FM (one of the most influential radio stations in the Bukedi region and parts of Western Kenya) broadcasts in Lusamia, Luganda, Kiswahili, and English, reaching an estimated audience of more than eight million listeners.

By combining AGMARK’s technical expertise in structured grain trade with Jogoo FM’s trusted community voice, this collaboration is set to expand CBTA visibility, mobilize new members, and deepen engagement with smallholder farmers (SHFs) and traders at key border points. Women traders like those documented in AGMARK’s portrait of resilient women at the Busia border are precisely the audience this radio partnership aims to reach.

The partnership builds on AGMARK’s ongoing work to strengthen cross-border trade networks in East and Southern Africa, including recent capacity-building initiatives for CBTA leaders in Busia and Namanga, and the launch of new associations along strategic corridors.

Also Read: AGMARK Conducts CBTA Leadership Training in Busia and Namanga

How the Radio Partnership Works

Through tailored radio segments, listener call-ins, and vernacular programming, Jogoo FM will help demystify CBTA membership benefits, promote compliance with simplified trade regimes, and connect SHFs to information on quality standards, pricing, and market opportunities in a timely and accessible way.

The youth angle is significant: AGMARK’s Gen Z training in Busia showed that young traders are eager for market skills, and radio programming can reinforce those lessons beyond the training room.

This collaboration comes at a time when regional partners and policymakers are calling for more inclusive and agroecologically grounded cross-border trade systems that put women, youth, and smallholders at the center of growth. Recent regional dialogues in Jinja and expert recommendations on agroecological trade have shown why stronger producer and trader associations, better access to market information, and improved border infrastructure matter for fair and efficient trade.

Growing CBTA Membership Through Community Radio

By using Jogoo FM’s reach to over eight million listeners, AGMARK and CBTAs in Uganda are well positioned to grow membership, amplify the voice of border communities, and strengthen a more resilient, gender-responsive cross-border trade network. Interested SHFs, traders, and youth groups are encouraged to tune in to Jogoo FM 93.8 Busia and listen for CBTA programmes, engage with local CBTA leaders, and visit AGMARK’s platforms to learn how to join and benefit from this expanding regional network.

The radio partnership complements AGMARK’s hands-on training work in the region, most recently a three-day capacitation for women traders at Goldstar Resort in Busia, which equipped 38 participants with practical skills in grain standards and border compliance.

Empowering Cross-Border Women Grain Traders in Busia, Uganda

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Women Traders at the Heart of Cross-Border Grain Commerce

The Busia-Uganda border is a critical gateway for cross-border grain trade in East Africa. Here, small-scale grain traders and women farmers navigate complex market dynamics daily. The EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR) has made trade easier for small scale traders, exempting consignments valued under USD 2,000 from import duties. However, there are still high fees and charges that traders contend with.

For instance, exporting 2–5 MT of grain between Uganda and Kenya, traders must navigate seven different trade facilitation agencies at the border, with inspection fees and testing charges totaling approximately USD 200, around 10% of the consignment value.

When AGMARK, with support from the AGRA, launched its project on “Empowering Women and Youth to Participate in Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade”, the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders Association (CBTA) on the Uganda side became one of the early champions of change.

We recently concluded an impactful three-day capacity building training at Goldstar Resort Hotel in Busia, Uganda. From August 20th to 22nd, 38 traders (with a strong focus on women and youth traders) from the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders Association gathered to strengthen their skills in post-harvest management, grain standards compliance, quality control, warehousing practices and navigating border control policies and tax policies. These essential competencies support profitable and sustainable grain trade across the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region.

Also Read: Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border

Empowering Traders Through Knowledge and Skills Development

The agricultural training was designed with a clear purpose: to empower women and youth traders with practical knowledge that directly addresses the challenges they face in smallholder agriculture and cross-border trade operations. The sessions combined presentations, hands-on demonstrations, group discussions, and plenary sessions, creating an environment where experiential learning could thrive.

Participants engaged deeply with core training modules covering:

Post-Harvest Management and Loss Reduction – Traders learned evidence-based methods to reduce post-harvest losses and improve grain handling practices, with 94.7% reporting enhanced understanding and 92.1% expressing confidence in applying these food security techniques.
Grain Standards and Quality Parameters for the ESA Region – The training strengthened participants’ ability to classify grains accurately, identify quality characteristics for export markets, and detect defects and contamination, with over 94.7% showing improved skills in these critical areas of grain quality assessment.
Storage and Warehousing Solutions – Understanding proper storage techniques and preventing post-storage losses were key focuses for agricultural value chains, with 92.1% gaining knowledge on storage methods, though practical application of warehousing models revealed infrastructure and financing barriers.
Quality Control Measures and Food Safety – Traders enhanced their capacity to identify contamination risks and apply quality control protocols for safe grain trade, with 89.5% reporting increased confidence.
Border Control and Tax Policy Navigation – A critical session focused on helping traders understand customs procedures, tax compliance, and how to make use of the EAC Simplified Trade Regime. Border officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) delivered a presentation on cross-border trade issues, taxation frameworks, and inspection requirements. This direct engagement with regulatory authorities provided traders with clarity on their obligations and rights, demystifying the often-complex border clearance process and reducing the risk of delays and penalties.

A Resounding Success

Participants rated the relevance of the training at an exceptional 4.82 out of 5, with 100% agreement that the content aligned perfectly with their needs. This near-universal approval validates the demand-driven design approach that AGMARK prioritizes in all our training programs.

Perhaps most striking was the Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +92.1, meaning all 38 participants rated their likelihood to recommend the training at 9 or 10 out of 10, with no detractors. This level of enthusiasm shows how much participants valued what they learned.

Traders consistently described the training as “excellent,” “productive,” and “very relevant,” with many expressing newfound confidence. As one participant put it:

“I am now a new champion.” Another noted, “The training has opened our minds to wide trade mapping.”

Addressing Real Challenges

A few participants had limited proficiency in English and could only communicate effectively in the local language (Luganda) which created gaps in comprehension and limited engagement during technical sessions. This was swiftly mitigated by pairing participants who are fluent in English with those more comfortable in Luganda.

Participants were also honest about persistent challenges that limit their ability to fully apply new knowledge. Financial constraints emerged as the primary barrier, with many traders noting that despite gaining valuable skills, access to capital for quality inputs, storage infrastructure, and working capital remains limited.

Some participants called for more hands-on field demonstrations and practical simulations to further solidify learning. Others highlighted the need for warehousing models that better reflect local financial and infrastructural realities. Many specifically requested expanded modules on financial management, loan schemes, negotiation skills, and broader inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities. These insights will shape future training programs.

Also Read: Nakonde CBTA Partners with AGMARK for Structured Grain Trade Skills Boost in Zambia

Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Growth of CBTAs

One of the most inspiring outcomes from the capacity building training has been the remarkable growth of the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders Association (CBTA). Under the leadership of Mariam Babu, the association has become an early champion of change in the region, actively participating in AGMARK’s farmer training programs designed to empower women traders with knowledge on structured trade, market linkages, agricultural cooperatives, and collective business management.

Armed with new confidence and practical skills in agricultural trade, she actively used the sessions to bring 25 new women members into the CBTA, with numbers continuing to grow. For women who had been trading informally and often in isolation, joining the association opened doors to collective bargaining, better information on regional grain standards, and access to formal market opportunities and financial services.

“The trainings opened my eyes to what we can achieve as a group. I used that momentum to encourage more women to join us, and they responded positively. Our membership is growing, and so is our confidence.” – Mariam Babu, Chairlady, Busia Women CBTA

Through just two training sessions, the Busia Women CBTA’s membership base has grown significantly, strengthening its position to negotiate with buyers, reduce exploitation, and influence cross-border trade policies in East Africa. The association is now a powerful example of how grassroots organizing, combined with targeted capacity building and agricultural extension services, can catalyze economic resilience and sustainable trade opportunities for women across the region.

The value-adding enterprise at the same border, Silai Boost Flour (a women-owned agribusiness processing and selling flour in Busia), shows what cross-border traders can build when skills and organized networks align.

Connecting with Traders at the Busia Main Market

Beyond the training room, the AGMARK team made a courtesy visit to Busia Main Market in Uganda, where the reality of cross-border grain trade unfolds daily. This market is a vital commercial hub where traders buy, sell, and store grains before moving them across the border. The visit gave the team a valuable opportunity to engage directly with traders in their working environment, observing firsthand the market conditions, storage facilities, and operational challenges they navigate.

During the market visit, team members spoke with several traders about their post-harvest handling practices, the quality standards they maintain, and the barriers they face in accessing structured markets. These conversations revealed the practical gaps between training knowledge and real-world application, such as limited access to proper storage infrastructure, fluctuating market prices, and the need for stronger buyer connections. The insights gathered from these interactions are shaping future program interventions, ensuring that training content remains grounded in the lived experiences of the traders AGMARK serves. Such field visits reinforce the project’s commitment to staying connected with market realities and continuously adapting support to meet evolving trader needs.

The supply side of this trading network is represented by smallholder farmer organizations like Sibahola Nobona in Busia, whose maize networks provide the grain these women traders move across the border.

Final Thoughts

This training, and others across border points in East and Southern Africa, are examples of effective, demand-driven capacity building in cross-border grain trade. By combining technical knowledge on grain quality standards with practical application and creating space for traders to share their real-world experiences in agricultural markets, AGMARK and AGRA are building a community of confident traders who can navigate complex markets and drive sustainable agricultural trade growth.

AGMARK has also partnered with Jogoo FM in Busia to extend this work through community radio, reaching traders and CBTA prospects who were not part of this training session.

When smallholder farmers and traders are equipped with the right knowledge on post-harvest management, supported by strong facilitation, and connected to networks of peers and agricultural cooperatives facing similar challenges, the potential for impact multiplies. Busia is one more step forward in building a more inclusive, efficient, and prosperous cross-border grain trade system across East and Southern Africa; strengthening food security and economic opportunities for women and youth in the process.

Tunduma CBTA Training Strengthens Traders in Tanzania

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

October–November 2025: Building on Tunduma’s Cross-Border Trade Foundations

The Tunduma CBTA training in Tanzania brought together local traders and leaders to strengthen skills in grain standards, postharvest management, and market linkages. Trainers delivered sessions from October 20th to November 3rd 2025, and participants praised the practical focus on negotiation and contracting that helps formalize the smallholder supply chain. This training is part of AGMARK and AGRA’s programme to empower women and youth in cross-border grain trade.

Tunduma CBTA Training Activities and Outcomes

Over several days the team ran modules on ESA grain standards, postharvest handling, and the COMESA Food Balance Sheet. Traders practiced documentation and contract terms. The training reinforced cross-border trader capacitation by linking smallholder volumes to buyers, and a visit to a local aggregation center illustrated how aggregation can reduce losses that FAO estimates at significant rates in Eastern Africa, improving both quality and income. FAO post-harvest losses report provides the regional context that made the postharvest sessions urgent and practical.

Also Read: Strengthening Cross-Border Grain Trade in Tunduma, Tanzania

How Training Improved Trader Visibility and Networks

Participants welcomed branded T-shirts and caps, saying the items boosted visibility at market gates and customs posts, and the gear drew interest from neighboring groups. The Nakonde CBTA noticed the attire and the TIDO (Trade Information Desk Office) requested similar support, showing how simple investments in identity can strengthen Tanzania Zambia grain trade networks and open doors to formal channels that carry significant regional volumes.

A great standout moment for the team was meeting a Kenyan lady from Butere (Kakamega County, Kenya) at the Zambian-Tanzanian border, who was selling Maize from Tanzania into Zambia. She says her father used to run an agrovet in Sabatia (Butere) and was trained by AGMARK when she was only just a child in primary school back then. It is great to hear such impact stories and meet people directly impacted by the work that we do!

Market Linkages and Regional Trade Context

Trainers emphasized recording volumes traded and documenting contracts to support a shift from informal to structured flows, a step that aligns with COMESA efforts to ease border trade under the Simplified Trade Regime. Evidence from regional reports shows corridors like Tunduma move large maize volumes between East and Southern Africa, and tracking transactions helps small traders claim fair value and scale. See COMESA guidance on the STR for how simplified paperwork can reduce friction at borders.

AGMARK ran parallel activities along this corridor in Nakonde, Zambia, where cross-border grain trade training for women in September addressed contracting, grain standards, and dispute resolution at the Zambia-Tanzania border.

Also Read: Nakonde CBTA Partners with AGMARK for Structured Grain Trade Skills Boost in Zambia

Challenges, Lessons and Practical Recommendations

The field team recorded election-related disruptions that included internet shutdowns, curfews, and transport suspensions, which delayed mobilization and reporting. Recommendations include pre-deployment political risk analysis, contingency transport plans, stronger local partner coordination, and operational steps that CBTAs can adopt immediately. A World Bank story on the broader context on Cross-Border Trade in Zambia shows why continuity matters for food security and trader incomes.

The Tunduma CBTA training showed that targeted capacity building, simple visibility tools, and farmer to trader linkages can change how small traders operate across borders. AGMARK will follow up with partners to scale these practices, and CBTAs that document volumes and formalize contracts will be better placed to benefit from regional markets and effective job creation for women and youth in these ESA regions like Tunduma. Creating jobs requires sustained investment in relevant skills to raise productivity, expand employment, and increase wages, along with reforms that create a business-friendly environment, and efforts to mobilize private capital. Traders, donors, and ag officers are invited to support follow up activities and contact AGMARK for partnership details.

Youth Traders Lead Cross Border Trade Association Formation in Kasumulu, Tanzania

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A New Movement at Kasumulu Border

The wave of youth traders in cross border grain trade continues to grow stronger. This time, it’s the Kasumulu border in Tanzania that’s witnessing a new movement take shape, putting women and youth traders at the center of structured, sustainable grain commerce.

AGMARK, in partnership with AGRA, has successfully established the Kasumulu Cross Border Trade Association, marking another milestone in the regional initiative to empower women and youth traders across East and Southern Africa.

Between August 11 and 26, 2025, AGMARK conducted thorough mobilization, training, and institutional setup activities that transformed independent traders into an organized, government-recognized collective ready to compete in structured markets. The Kasumulu Cross Border Trade Association will give a voice, visibility, and economic power to traders who have long operated in the informal sector, often invisible to policy makers and market systems that could amplify their impact.

Also Read: AGMARK Proudly Launches Songwe Cross Border Trade Association in Malawi

How AGMARK Mobilized Youth and Women Traders in Kasumulu

The mobilization strategy was grassroots and intentional. AGMARK started at the market, meeting directly with women traders who form the backbone of daily grain trade at the Kasumulu border. They appointed a representative to coordinate activities, becoming active partners in the process rather than passive recipients of a program. This collaborative approach set the tone for everything that followed.

AGMARK worked hand-in-hand with local government to ensure alignment, legitimacy, and secured clearance and focus for mobilization and the upcoming training.

We were primarily interested in individuals actively trading grain at the Kasumulu border, with strong preference for women and youth. The focus was on those working in trader shops, those drying and transporting grain, and workers in storage operations.

Building Governance Skills for Women and Youth Traders

AGMARK delivered a focused one-day Leadership and Governance training that equipped eight interim youth and women leaders with the skills to lead with accountability, transparency, and strategic vision.

But the training didn’t stop there. A full three-day Structured Trading Systems program was rolled out for all CBTA members, covering critical topics like contract negotiation, quality standards, market access, and compliance with cross-border trade regulations.

The Participation of government officials also made the training highly impactful.

Mr. Joachim Kimoso from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) delivered a presentation on compliance issues, breaking down what’s often seen as bureaucratic red tape into practical knowledge that traders could immediately apply.
Gervas Mbawala from the Tanzania Plant Health Protection Agency (TPHPA) presented on regulatory requirements in grain trade, ensuring that traders understood not just how to trade, but how to trade legally and sustainably.

These talks formed bridges between informal women and youth traders and formal systems, between youth ambition and government support, between potential and opportunity.

The context for youth involvement in this corridor was established in AGMARK’s analysis of youth cross-border trade at the Malawi-Tanzania border, which highlighted the structural barriers young traders face and the potential of organized associations to overcome them.

Tanzania Revenue Authority Recognizes New Kasumulu Cross Border Trade Association

Recognition came swiftly and meaningfully. The interim CBTA leadership was formally introduced to both the Tanzania Revenue Authority and the Tanzania Plant Health Protection Agency. Both Mr. Kimoso and Mr. Mbawala pledged to work alongside the new association, and AGMARK provided them with the complete list of elected officials.

Women and youth traders, many of whom have operated in the shadows of informal trade for years, now have direct lines of communication with the very government agencies that regulate their work. The local administration, led by the area chief and local authority head, also participated in the training and threw their support behind the newly formed CBTA.

This collaboration and recognition is crucial for the long-term economic development strategy of the community, especially at a time when there are increasing regional trade rows between Tanzania and Malawi, despite the establishment of a free trade area.

Overcoming Cross Border Trade Challenges at Kasumulu Border

AGMARK is building in a vacuum, creating something new where little documentation or precedent exists. It’s pioneering work: exciting but complex. The main challenges in this area include infrastructure, language accessibility, documentation, and community trust-building.

Limited network coverage and low smartphone penetration created significant challenges when delivering training on digital information systems and market platforms. In an era where market intelligence depends on real-time data, the technology gap at remote border points remains a huge barrier. Just like their counterparts across the border in Songwe, Malawi, the information gap persists. Accurate, up-to-date information on cross-border traders’ associations in the region is virtually nonexistent. This challenge shows the need for infrastructure investment alongside skills training.

Language barriers also emerged because training tools are designed in English, and substantial time was spent translating materials into Kiswahili. While translation is very doable, it’s a reminder that truly inclusive programs must be multilingual by design.

Independent trader mindset posed convening challenges. Traders who’ve spent years operating solo needed convincing that collective action could benefit them. But once interim officials were in place and the vision became clearer, momentum followed. Trust takes time, but it’s worth the investment.

Future Plans for Youth-Led Cross Border Trade in East Africa

AGMARK’s long term commitment to the Kasumulu CBTA includes:

Close collaboration to strengthen organizational capacity and market access.
Supporting government registration to give the association full legal standing and long-term sustainability.
Monitoring integration into the Joint Border Coordination Committees (JBC), ensuring the CBTA has a seat at the decision-making table.

Kasumulu now joins a growing network of youth-led cross border trade associations at strategic border points across East and Southern Africa: Busia, Songwe, Namanga, and Tunduma-Nakonde. Each new CBTA strengthens the regional network of traders who understand structured markets, know their rights, and have the skills to compete.

The establishment of CBTAs like Kasumulu marks a fundamental shift in how cross-border grain trade operates in the ESA region. Cross border trade associations are important because they provide:

Collective bargaining power for better prices and market access.
Legal recognition and protection under formal trade systems.
Access to training, finance, and market intelligence that individual traders can’t access alone.
A voice in policy discussions that shape trade regulations and border operations.
Peer support networks that reduce isolation and build resilience

For women and youth traders who’ve long been marginalized in informal trade, CBTAs are pathways to economic dignity and sustainable livelihoods. The establishment of the Kasumulu CBTA fulfills part of the vision set at AGMARK’s ESA Grain Trade Project launch in Nairobi, where youth-led trade association formation was identified as a key programme goal.

The future of cross-border grain trade in East Africa is being built at border markets, not planned in boardrooms, by women drying maize in the sun, youth managing storage facilities, and traders willing to believe that organized, structured trade is possible. The movement is growing, one border and one trader at a time.

AGMARK Proudly Launches Songwe Cross Border Trade Association in Malawi

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A New Chapter at the Songwe-Kasumulu Border

A new chapter in cross-border grain trade has begun at the Songwe-Kasumulu border, and it’s being written by the hands of women and youth traders who are ready to transform informal hustle into structured, sustainable business.

AGMARK, in partnership with AGRA, continues to expand its mission of empowering women and youth across East and Southern Africa through the Cross Border Trade Association (CBTA) initiative. This time, the spotlight is on Songwe, Malawi, and Kasumulu, Tanzania. This is a critical trade corridor that’s now home to a newly formed, women and youth-led CBTA.

Between July 23 and August 6, 2025, AGMARK conducted intensive mobilization, leadership training, and institutional setup activities that resulted in the official establishment of the Songwe Cross Border Trade Association. This is a major shift for traders who have long operated in the shadows of informal trade.

Also Read: Youth Trade Focus at the Malawi-Tanzania Border

Mobilization of Youth and Women Traders in Songwe

Building on relationships established during an institutional assessment in November 2024, AGMARK worked closely with border officials and local Malawi administration to identify and mobilize traders who could form the backbone of this new association.

But this wasn’t about bringing just anyone to the table. AGMARK set clear eligibility criteria designed to center the voices that matter most. The focus was on:

Women and youth actively engaged in grain trade at the border.
Individuals working in trader shops
Those drying and transporting grain
Workers within storage facilities

The result? A diverse, energetic group of traders and the boots-on-the-ground operators who keep cross-border trade moving every single day, eager to transition from survival mode to strategic growth.

Building Governance Skills for Women and Youth Traders

Ten interim leaders (both women and youth) were selected to guide the newly formed CBTA. These weren’t just ceremonial appointments. AGMARK delivered a full one-day Leadership and Governance training that equipped them with the tools to lead with confidence, accountability, and vision.

The training covered essential skills for running a trade association, from organizational governance to member engagement and advocacy. Daily registration and end-of-training evaluations ensured that every participant’s voice was heard and that the learning was grounded in real-world application.

Importantly, local administration and Malawi Revenue Authority officials were invited to participate, creating alignment between the new CBTA leadership and the government structures they would need to work alongside. This was important to build and maintain legitimacy and trust within the broader trading community.

The launch builds on the momentum from AGMARK’s ESA Grain Trade Project launch in Nairobi, where women and youth empowerment through CBTAs was established as the defining goal for the region.

Malawi Revenue Authority Recognizes New Cross Border Trade Association

Ms. Christine Mukanadawire, Deputy Officer in Charge at the Malawi Revenue Authority, officially recognized the interim CBTA leadership and committed to working alongside them. In a powerful move, the CBTA was integrated into the Joint Border Committee (JBC), a coordination body that brings together government officials and private sector players.

It means that women and youth traders now have a seat at the table where trade policies and border operations are discussed and shaped. Local administration representative GUH Mwandenga also recognized the CBTA and pledged to fast-track government registration; a critical step toward full legal standing and long-term sustainability.

Overcoming Cross Border Trade Challenges at Songwe-Kasumulu Border

Launching a cross-border trade association in a remote border region isn’t without its hurdles. Poor network coverage made internet access and communication unreliable. Security concerns when using public transport in Tanzania also required extra vigilance.

Perhaps the biggest challenge? The lack of accurate, up-to-date information on cross-border traders’ associations in the region. AGMARK was essentially building in the dark, creating something new where little documentation existed.

And then there’s the reality of working with independent traders who’ve spent years operating solo. Convening them, aligning their interests, and convincing them to think collectively required patience, persistence, and trust-building. But once interim officials were in place, momentum followed.

Future Plans for Youth-Led Grain Trade in East Africa

AGMARK isn’t walking away after the ink dries. We will work closely with the Songwe CBTA to bring it up to par with other associations across the region, support government efforts to fast-track registration, and monitor the CBTA’s integration into Joint Border Coordination Committees.

The Songwe CBTA is joined by the Kasumulu Cross Border Trade Association on the Tanzania side of this corridor, the two associations forming a paired cross-border network at this strategic trade route.

This is about building a sustainable pipeline of women and youth-led trade infrastructure, one border at a time. Songwe-Kasumulu joins other strategic border points like Busia, Namanga, and Tunduma-Nakonde in a growing network of empowered traders in East and Southern Africa who are rewriting the rules of cross-border commerce.

The future of structured grain trade in East and Southern Africa is already taking shape at border markets, built by women drying grain in the sun, youth managing storage facilities, and traders who refuse to stay invisible.

AGMARK Boosts Cross-Border Grain Trade in Nakonde, Zambia

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

September 2025: Field Mission Along the Tunduma-Nakonde Corridor

From September 15 to 28, 2025, AGMARK staff were on the ground in Nakonde, Zambia, to support the Cross Border Trade Association project implementation along the busy Tunduma to Nakonde corridor. For many smallholder farmers and small scale grain traders, this border is where opportunity and risk meet, prices change quickly, paperwork can be confusing, and trust is tested in every deal.

AGMARK’s approach was practical, combining field supervision, stakeholder engagement and hands on training so that farmers, traders, processors and cooperatives can participate in more structured markets. Surplus and deficits often sit in neighboring districts and countries, yet trade can stall when market information is weak and contracting practices are informal. That is why strengthening skills and systems at key border hubs like Nakonde is central to improving cross-border grain trade in East Africa and beyond.

Building Skills for Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade

After travel via Dar es Salaam and Mbeya, the team began with venue identification and quotations, followed by trader mobilization. Engagements then shifted to the market itself, including meetings with the Food Reserve Agency and the District Commissioner, and a visit to a grain aggregation center at Mpemba Market near Tunduma where ThriveAgric was offtaking 1000MT of maize.

AGMARK delivered a sequence of trainings that connected technical grain requirements to real business decisions, so participants could negotiate with confidence and meet buyer expectations in the Eastern and Southern Africa market. The sessions also reinforced that structured trading is not only about volumes, it is also about quality, documentation and relationships that can be sustained across seasons. This included:

Grain standards and quality parameters for the ESA region
Post harvest management to protect quality and reduce losses
Negotiation and contracting with traders, processors and cooperatives
Trade contracts and dispute resolution mechanisms for safer transactions
Simplified Trade Regime compliance to reduce delays and informal costs
Using market information systems and platforms, including the COMESA Food Balance Sheet
Linking smallholder farmers to grain traders in Nakonde through facilitated engagement

Also Read: Nakonde CBTA Partners with AGMARK for Structured Grain Trade Skills Boost in Zambia

Using Market Information and Fair Contracts

A recurring barrier raised by farmers and traders is not just finding a buyer, it is knowing when to sell, what quality to deliver, and how to protect both sides when prices shift or delivery terms change. In Nakonde, AGMARK emphasized existing regional tools that help actors move from guesswork to evidence, including the digital Regional Food Balance Sheet, which COMESA and partners introduced to provide more timely insights on production, consumption, trade and stocks across East and Southern Africa. Participants were oriented on how these insights can strengthen bargaining positions, inform aggregation plans and reduce panic selling, especially when informal information channels distort prices.

For readers who want to explore the platform’s origins and purpose, see COMESA’s note on the launch of the digital Regional Food Balance Sheet, and the broader COMESA update on the development of the Regional Food Balance Sheet. This kind of market transparency becomes more powerful when aligned with regional efforts to connect Market Information Systems, as discussed in the regional blueprint for harmonizing market information systems, because better information supports stronger smallholder farmer market linkages and lowers the risk of exploitative terms. AGMARK emphasized on:

Clear contract basics, including quantity, grade, delivery points and payment timelines
Documentation practices that help traders and cooperatives meet buyer requirements
Practical steps for agricultural dispute resolution mechanisms, including agreed escalation paths and evidence keeping

Also Read: Strengthening Cross-Border Grain Trade in Tunduma, Tanzania

Smallholder Farmer Market Linkages and Challenges

Linkages were not treated as a promise of instant sales, they were approached as a process of preparing producers and traders to transact reliably at scale. This was demonstrated through ThriveAgric’s presence at Mpemba Market near Tunduma, where the company was offtaking 1,000 MT of maize, with Mr Bernard Juma, head of commercial at Thrive Agric in Kenya and Uganda, on site, showing what structured demand can look like when aggregation and buyer requirements are clear.

Two challenges noted by AGMARK that must be addressed if structured trade is to grow:

High expectations from traders for immediate market linkages.
Reported harassment of small scale traders in Nakonde by Tunduma Municipal authorities, which discourages cross border trading and erodes confidence.

AGMARK recommends clear communication on timelines and phased linkage approaches, alongside dialogue with municipal authorities and joint border structures to promote fair treatment, workable grievance channels and harmonization of the Simplified Trade Regime policies. These efforts matter at scale.

Our work across the region shows the value of sustained capacity building, including large mobilizations such as the Kenya Agrodealer Strengthening Program documented by CNFA. AGMARK invites border agencies, cooperatives, offtakers and development partners to invest in trader friendly governance and continued skills building, so that safe contracting and predictable rules become the norm for border communities.

AGMARK continued this corridor momentum in November, when Tunduma CBTA training strengthened trader networks on the Tanzania side of the same border.

Supporting Cross-Border Grain Trade in Namanga

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

September 2025: A Three-Day Training at AIC Namanga Conference Hall

Between 24 and 26 September 2025, AGMARK ran a three day training in Namanga, Kenya to strengthen Cross-border grain trade in Namanga by building trader skills in structured grain trading systems, negotiation, and postharvest management. The event brought 37 beneficiaries together, 18 of which were youth, and linked CBTAs with 17 stakeholders from government and private sector agencies at AIC Namanga Conference Hall, Kenya. This training is part of our on going project entitled “Empowering Women and Youth to Participate in Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade through CBTAs in Eastern and Southern Africa” in collaboration with AGRA. The project focuses on specific targeted value chains, namely: maize, soybeans, common beans, rice, and ground nuts.

Also Read: Empowering Women and Youth in ESA Grain Trade Launch

Cross-Border Grain Trade in Namanga Summary

The three day agenda combined AGMARK modules on negotiation and contracting with an introduction to structured grain trading systems recognized by COMESA. Sessions on grain standards and postharvest management were particularly prominent. Trainers used a participatory approach, encouraging peer learning and practical exercises, and participants completed trader profiles, evaluations, and registration on the COMESA Food Balance Sheet platform during the workshop.

Stakeholder Presentations and Regulatory Clarity

Representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Agriculture and Food Authority explained quality rules and licensing, while the Namanga Kenya Border management headed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Station Manager, Mr. Nicholas Mugambi, presented the simplified trader regime and e-customs procedures to enlighten traders on exemptions for consignments valued under $2,000 that can lower transaction costs, and proper methods of doing business while being tax compliant. These sessions showed how compliance with harmonized standards can reduce border delays, a point echoed by regional work on regional work on food standards by COMESA.

Financial Services and Market Opportunities

Bank representatives from KCB and Equity Namanga explained account types and loan products suitable for small traders and women led enterprises. The session linked to broader estimates that informal cross border trade is large and often under recorded, making formalization and financial inclusion critical for scaling. Tanzania have largely banned Kenyan traders from visiting farms to buy crops and instead should use the auction and aggregation centers, with plans underway to create a lean border agency because currently, there are 7 agencies regulating the same items which is causes a lot of inefficiency and makes people want to trade informally. The World Bank analysis on informal cross border trade.

This training built on the governance foundations introduced at AGMARK’s earlier CBTA leadership training at Busia and Namanga, which equipped officials with the institutional skills this programme could build upon.

Also Read: Namanga Youth Traders and Women Receive Grain Trade Training

Practical Outcomes and Buyer Linkages

Traders left with concrete market leads after registering on the COMESA platform and exchanging contacts with larger buyers. A Nairobi based grain buyer was also present and signaled demand at scale, challenging traders to do business with her, offering to source 11000 bags of maize monthly if traders can meet quality and delivery schedules. These kinds of linkages show how structured trading systems and data driven aggregation can connect small traders to consistent buyers.

Postharvest Management and Quality Control

KEBS and AFA sessions emphasized moisture and chemical parameters and practical steps to reduce aflatoxin contamination, a leading cause of postharvest loss across the region. Field trainers reinforced simple handling, drying, and storage practices that cut losses, and these methods align with regional guidance on reducing postharvest losses in East Africa by the FAO.

Recommendations from Participants and Facilitators

Workshop participants and AGMARK staff proposed a set of practical next steps to sustain impact. Key recommendations included:

Prioritize CBTA data collection so associations can forecast supply and present credible offers to buyers.
Set aside a full day for stakeholder presentations to allow deeper Q and A with regulators and banks.
Adjust evaluation tools for accessibility.
Maintain structured market linkages by facilitating regular introductions between CBTAs and large traders.

The Namanga CBTA training shows how targeted capacity building for youth and women cross-border traders in Kenya and Tanzania can improve compliance with standards, reduce postharvest losses, and create stable supply relationships. AGMARK will continue to support CBTAs to use structured grain trading systems and to collect trade data that strengthens negotiation power at the border. Readers who want to learn more about the regional policy context can consult the COMESA simplified trade regime analysis and related reports.

AGMARK ran a parallel training in Arusha that same September, where Arusha grain traders worked on contracts, dispute resolution, and smallholder linkages, extending the Tanzania regional effort across the corridor.

Empowering Arusha Grain Traders with Contracts Training

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Arusha Capacitation: Building Trade Contracts and Farmer Linkages

Between 14th and 28th August 2025, AGMARK conducted a focused trader capacitation program in Arusha under the CBTA project, mobilizing large numbers of Arusha grain traders from Mbauda market to attend a practical workshop on standards, postharvest care and business advisory. The field team worked with local partners to ensure participation, and the turnout showed traders want reliable market information and better business practices. This initiative built smallholder linkages by inviting representatives from ten farmer organizations, facilitated through a GIZ-supported farmer information center.

The focus on trade contracts in Tanzania and dispute resolution was especially relevant, given concerns about unethical practices by some Kenyan traders in the region. This training lays groundwork for trusting trade relationships and structured grain transactions. For rural producers and traders alike, structured training helps turn informal activity into documented, accountable trade, and Mbauda traders were keen to record volumes and values as part of that change.

Also Read: Strengthening Cross-Border Grain Trade in Tunduma Tanzania

Arusha Grain Traders Trust Issues with Kenyans

The workshop covered essential themes:

Grain standards for ESA region
Post-harvest management
Negotiation and contracting
Use of market information systems like the COMESA Food Balance Sheet
Linking smallholder farmers to traders
Trade contracts and dispute resolution
The Simplified Trade Regime.

There was a particular focus on dispute resolution and how contracts can protect both buyers and sellers. Some arusha grain traders mentioned that Kenyan traders operating across borders have in some places earned a poor reputation for malpractice and acting in bad faith, so the training emphasized clear contracts and practical dispute mechanisms to rebuild trust.

Linking Traders to Smallholder Farmers

A key outcome was stronger trader links to farmer organizations. With support from Farida, a grain trader from Arusha and long term partner with AGMARK, the team visited a farmer information center supported by GIZ where ten farmer organizations were meeting. AGMARK collected names and membership details and invited representatives to the workshop, creating direct buyer seller connections that are essential for predictable supply and fair pricing. Strengthening these linkages is critical given Tanzania has over 22.4 million smallholder crop growers who form the backbone of domestic and export markets. Programs such as the Farm to Market Alliance show how farmer service centers can scale market access in northern Tanzania, and AGMARK’s local work in Arusha complements those broader efforts by turning contacts into contractual trade.

AGMARK’s September training at Namanga, where 37 traders worked on structured grain trade systems, extended this Tanzania regional effort across the corridor.

Also Read: Namanga Youth Traders and Women Receive Grain Trade Training

Documenting Trade Volumes and Youth Employment

The field team dedicated time to documenting volumes and value of grains traded and to recording employment created for youth during the trading and postharvest chain. This practical tracking supports transparency and informs optimization of future trade contracts in Tanzania. Traders and anchor offtakers such as Mount Meru Group Ltd were visited and the team captured data on commodity flows. The project’s approach to data collection is informed by wider evidence that market support programs can increase access to financial services and repair market infrastructure, which in turn helps smallholders and young agrientrepreneurs commercialize production. AGMARK’s documentation work aligns with regional findings showing significant gains from coordinated market interventions and highlights the need for data privacy assurances to encourage full cooperation.

Challenges, Lessons and Moving Forward

Field staff faced delays due to Tanzania election-era clearance processes, and some traders were hesitant to share trade data. The team learned that building trust requires early local liaison and transparent data privacy protocols.

Recommendations from the field trip include liaising with local administration ahead of events to avoid delays, and routinely sharing the project value and data privacy protocols with traders to build trust. AGMARK will continue to capacitate traders in negotiation and contracting while linking them to farmer organizations to increase transparency in cross-border grain trade. Donors and partners who support farmer service centers and market information systems can amplify these gains, as demonstrated by initiatives that reach hundreds of thousands of smallholders and service centers in nearby regions.

If you are a trader, farmer representative or partner interested in joining future workshops please contact AGMARK so we can scale these linkages and help more smallholder farmers Tanzania access profitable markets and youth find employment in the grain value chain. Stakeholders are invited to support further workshops, data collection efforts, and inclusive trading systems that benefit farmers, traders and communities alike.

Strengthening Cross-Border Grain Trade in Tunduma, Tanzania

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Tunduma: A Strategic Hub on the Tanzania-Zambia Corridor

The border town of Tunduma, Tanzania, is an important hub for grain trade and is the busiest border point in East Africa. It connects Tanzania to Zambia, Eastern Africa and beyond. Over 70% of the cargo passing through the Port of Dar-es-Salaam to neighboring countries comes from Tanzania via the Tunduma border.

AGMARK, in our continuing project to empower smallholder farmers and build capacity of cross border traders in Eastern and Southern Africa, was on the ground under in Tunduma for a 3 day training in collaboration with Tunduma CBTA members to drive forward efforts to capacitate traders, enhance post-harvest management, and strengthen real-time linkages between farmers and markets.

Also Read: Nakonde CBTA Partners with AGMARK for Structured Grain Trade Skills Boost in Zambia

Engaging the Grain Market

The team worked on mobilizing stakeholders, securing venues, and setting up logistics, ensuring the stage was set for impactful workshops. A key highlight were visits to Majengo Grain Market, the heartbeat of local grain trade in Tunduma. Here, traders shared first-hand experiences of navigating market dynamics, offering insights that shaped the discussions during the trainings.

AGMARK’s work in Tunduma builds on the broader Tanzania-Zambia corridor assessment documented in Enhancing Trade Capacity at the Tanzania-Zambia Border, which laid the groundwork for targeted training activities at this border.

Training and Capacity Building

The workshops started from July 28-30. Similarly to our ongoing engagements at Busia, Namanga and Nakonde, the workshops unfolded across core themes addressing critical needs of cross-border traders and farmer organizations:

Grain Standards and Quality Parameters for the ESA Region & Post-Harvest Management - Participants learned how to reduce losses and improve grain quality to meet buyer requirements.
Negotiation and Contracting with Traders, Processors, and Cooperatives - Leveraging tools like the COMESA Regional Food Balance Sheet, farmers and traders practiced using market data to secure better deals.
Linking Farmers to Traders & Simplified Trade Regime - Training focused on trade contracts, dispute resolution, and navigating customs processes for smoother cross-border transactions.

Challenges and Lessons

Border towns have similar challenges when engaging people in training workshops. At Tunduma, the hot, dusty weather which is worsened by heavy transit truck movement made the learning environment less comfortable. Moreover, some participants attended with their infants, which occasionally caused distractions. These are reocurring themes and even though they are not detrimental, they are challenges nonetheless.

Similarly to other border towns, women attending the workshops with infants shows determination of participants to learn and grow whilst babysitting. Recognizing care responsibilities, particularly among women traders, is key to designing inclusive and effective capacity-building programs.

Final Thoughts

By connecting smallholder farmers with structured markets, AGMARK and AGRA are making strides toward a more inclusive and efficient cross-border grain trade system. Tunduma is a vital link in this regional effort: it’s the busiest border point in East Africa and holds real potential for investors. When traders, farmers, and institutions come together, stronger markets can emerge.

AGMARK returned to Tunduma in October to continue building on these foundations, delivering a further round of CBTA training that deepened trader networks and market linkages across the corridor.

Silai Boost Flour: Women-Owned Agribusiness Changing Nutrition and Trade in Busia

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

In Busia County, where Kenya meets Uganda, a group of determined women from the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders SACCO are reshaping the future of agribusiness through milling, value addition, and nutrition-focused products. Their flagship innovation, Silai Boost Flour, is already transforming diets, incomes, and local trade dynamics.

Backed by equipment support from TradeMark Africa and driven by their own investment in land and facilities, the women have moved beyond trading to full-scale food processing. Today, Silai Boost Flour is not just a product but a story of resilience, enterprise, and cross-border opportunity.

Also Read: Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border

This enterprise is part of AGMARK and AGRA’s broader regional effort to empower women in cross-border trade. See AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade for the programme context that supports women’s enterprises like this one.

From Raw Crops to Nutrient-Rich Flour

The journey begins with local crops (cassava, finger millet, pumpkin, and soya) sourced from SACCO members and farmers as far as Malaba (Kenya) and Uganda. Groups like Sibahola Nobona Farmer Organization, a smallholder maize group in Uganda’s Busia district, represent the kind of local supply network that value-adding enterprises like this SACCO could increasingly draw from. The women meticulously handle every stage: peeling, chipping, solar drying, weighing, and finally, milling.

Each ingredient is blended in precise formulations, producing a nutrient-rich flour that:

Builds immunity in children and adults
Supports cancer prevention and management (including prostate health in men)
Assists in weight loss and healthy weight management

After milling, the flour is sealed, labeled, and packaged for sale. With a shelf life of six months, Silai Boost Flour is now stocked in local shops, a mini-supermarket in town, and is even crossing the border into Uganda through the networks of SACCO members.

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Flour Distribution

On a good month, the SACCO sells 200 bags of flour, and even in slower months, they manage at least 150. Each pack retails between KES 250 and KES 300, depending on size and formulation.

Marketing, however, remains both their biggest challenge and opportunity. Currently, members sell directly to their customers or through small outlets, but the SACCO is working to expand visibility through:

Recruiting youth marketers who can use digital platforms like Facebook and TikTok to boost sales.
Exploring partnerships with larger supermarkets.
Engaging cross-border traders to widen regional distribution.

Women-Owned, Women-Run, Women-Led Agribusiness

The SACCO operates with a unique ownership model. Members collectively raised KES 2.4 million to purchase land for the plant, partly through contributions and partly via a bank loan. With machinery and a solar dryer provided by TradeMark Africa, the women handle all operations themselves.

The only external employee is a night watchman; otherwise, every stage from peeling cassava to sealing packets is managed by SACCO members. Income generated from flour sales is reinvested and shared at year-end among contributors.

Fish Value Addition and Poultry Enterprises

Silai Boost Flour is just the beginning. The women have plans to:

Expand milling capacity (currently capped at 100kgs/day).
Venture into fish value addition, including omena (sardines) and Obambo (sun-dried tilapia).
Establish poultry enterprises with a hatchery for local egg producers.

These plans reflect a long-term vision to not only sustain the SACCO, but to position Busia as a hub for agro-processing and healthy food innovations.

What Support Do They Need?

While their success is evident, the women are clear about their needs for scaling:

Bigger milling machinery to increase daily capacity and meet growing demand.
Financial linkages to banks and credit institutions for affordable loans.
Marketing training and partnerships to position Silai Boost Flour as a trusted, healthy brand across East Africa.

AGMARK’s role in linking traders to finance, markets, and training remains vital. With the right support in place, the Busia SACCO women could quickly expand production and regional market reach. Alongside supporting enterprises like Silai Boost Flour, AGMARK is also training women cross-border grain traders in Busia, Uganda on structured trade skills, building the market-facing networks that can help these products reach buyers on both sides of the border.

The Bigger Picture

Silai Boost Flour represents more than just a food product. It is proof that value addition at the grassroots level works to improve incomes, promote nutrition, and empower women traders to move up the agribusiness value chain.

In the words of one SACCO member:

“We wanted to understand the process first for ourselves. Now, with bigger machines and support in marketing, we can feed more families, employ more youth, and trade across more borders.”

The Busia women are feeding communities and building a healthier, more resilient future for cross-border trade and agribusiness in East Africa.

Building Stronger Farmer Organizations in Busia – Insights from Sibahola Nobona

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Smallholder Farmers at the Busia Border

At the border district of Busia, where trade flows daily between Uganda and Kenya, smallholder farmers are quietly shaping the future of local food systems. One such group is Sibahola Nobona Farmer Organization, based in Bumonye Parish, Masinya Sub-County. With just 30 dedicated members, 15 clustered in Buwali village and 15 in nearby areas, this grassroots organization is pooling land, labor, and knowledge to make maize farming more sustainable and profitable. AGMARK’s engagement with farmer organizations like Sibahola Nobona is part of a broader regional programme. See AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade for the full initiative context that drives this support.

What is a Farmer Organization?

A farmer organization is a group of smallholder farmers who unite to tackle shared challenges in agriculture. These groups provide farmers with a stronger collective voice and practical benefits such as:

Better markets & fairer prices — through collective bargaining
Training & skills development — to improve farming practices
Bulk input purchases — lowering the cost of seeds, fertilizers, and tools
Market standards compliance — ensuring produce meets trade requirements
Policy advocacy — amplifying farmer concerns at local and regional levels

While farmer organizations may look similar to cooperatives, there is a difference.

Cooperatives are more formalized, often legally registered with set membership fees, constitutions, and strict governance structures.

A farmer organization, on the other hand, can be more flexible. They may start informally as groups around villages or trading centers and gradually evolve into larger, structured bodies.

In Busia, groups like Sibahola Nobona have become vital in linking smallholder farmers to cross-border grain markets, creating opportunities for women and youth, and strengthening trade in the region.

A Shared Commitment to Maize Production

On five acres of communal land in Buwali, Sibahola Nobona’s members have planted maize, experimenting with different seed varieties to improve yields. While many have long relied on Pioneer and Western Seed varieties, this season they trialed a new hybrid sourced from an agrovet across the Kenyan border. The results have been promising: yields are projected to rise from 30 bags last season to as many as 45 bags this harvest.

Youth and Women at the Core

A striking feature of Sibahola Nobona is its reliance on youth labor, especially young women from the community. From digging holes and planting to weeding and harvesting, these young people form the backbone of production. During peak planting, as many as 30 youth were engaged, with over two-thirds being women. For them, the fields are not just a workplace but are a source of daily income and practical farming skills. The broader story of the women who trade the produce these farmers grow is captured in Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border, a portrait of the cross-border commerce that groups like Sibahola Nobona ultimately supply into.

Local Markets, Local Value

Once harvested, maize from Sibahola Nobona is sold through local produce stores in Busia. Traders come directly to the farms to buy in bulk, later transporting it to wider markets. While this system provides quick cash for farmers, it leaves little room for value addition or bargaining power. Prices swing sharply, from as low as UGX 800 per kilo in the harvest glut to UGX 2,500 per kilo in leaner months.

Challenges on the Ground

Soil Fertility Decline — Continuous maize cultivation without sufficient compost or rotation has weakened the land, inviting stubborn weeds like Striga.
Climate Risks — Erratic rainfall patterns make harvests uncertain, with drought emerging as a recurring threat.
Limited Training — Members acknowledge gaps in best agronomic practices such as spacing and canopy cover and soil fertility management.
Market Dependence — Reliance on local traders limits their ability to capture better prices further afield.

Lessons & Opportunities for Growth

Yet, there is strong potential for Sibahola Nobona to grow as a model farmer organization. With targeted support in training, soil management, and financial literacy, the group could:

Adopt cover cropping and composting to rebuild soil fertility.
Use crop insurance through banks like Equity or Old Mutual to cushion against drought losses.
Explore structured aggregation models to collectively bargain with larger buyers or processors.
Strengthen linkages with seed companies for trials and tailored advisory.

The value addition potential at this border is real: it’s already demonstrated by Silai Boost Flour, a women-owned enterprise at Busia that processes local crops into nutrient-rich flour. Better-organized farmer groups like Sibahola Nobona represent exactly the kind of local supply base that value-adding enterprises like this SACCO could increasingly draw from.

The resilience of Sibahola Nobona shows the value of community-based farmer organizations in Uganda’s border districts. By pooling their efforts, even small groups of farmers can begin to shift from subsistence to more market-oriented agriculture. What they need is consistent support and not just inputs, but the training and financial tools to withstand shocks and scale opportunities.

“Our planting format is still local. We need more training and support to improve our land. That way, farming can truly become a business.”

The farmer organization story at Busia connects directly to the traders who move these goods across the border. Read about how AGMARK is simultaneously training women cross-border grain traders in Busia, Uganda on structured trade skills, the market-facing work that complements the production-focused efforts happening in organizations like Sibahola Nobona.

Nakonde CBTA Partners with AGMARK for Structured Grain Trade Skills Boost in Zambia

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The Nakonde OSBP: Gateway Between Zambia and Tanzania

The Nakonde One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) sits at a key point on the busy Dar es Salaam trade corridor, the gateway where Zambia meets Tanzania, and where grain from Zambia and Malawi begins its journey to markets across the world.

AGMARK, in partnership with AGRA, joined forces with the Nakonde Cross-Border Traders Association (CBTA) for a powerful trader capacitation program. Held at Izukanji Lodge, Zambia, the training aimed to sharpen skills in structured grain trade while building real-time linkages with farmer organizations across the region. The training was a continuation of AGMARK’s regional push to equip border communities with the skills and networks they need to compete effectively in East and Southern Africa’s grain trade. This capacitation programme is one of many field activities under AGMARK and AGRA’s regional initiative to empower women and youth in cross-border grain trade, which builds on earlier institutional capacity assessments along the Tanzania-Zambia corridor that established the programme’s priorities for this region.

AGMARK and Nakonde CBTA Unite

The days leading up to the training were dedicated to mobilizing stakeholders, securing venues, and organizing ground logistics to ensure full participation from local farmers, traders, and cooperatives.

Upon arrival, AGMARK was welcomed by Nakonde CBTA Chairman Mr. Michael Kanyanya, Vice Chair Mrs. Judith, and Youth Leader Mr. Darius. The team facilitated crucial introductions to the Nakonde District Commissioner and the District Intelligence Officer, whose collaboration ensures smooth operations in this strategic trade hub.

The training kicked off from 1–3 July, covering the following key areas:

Grain Standards & Quality Parameters in the ESA Region — Understanding buyer requirements in structured markets.
Post-Harvest Management — Preserving grain quality and minimizing losses.
Negotiation & Contracting — Closing fair deals with traders, processors, and cooperatives.
Market Intelligence Tools — Using platforms like the COMESA Regional Food Balance Sheet to track trends and opportunities.
Trade Linkages & Dispute Resolution — Building trust through contracts and understanding resolution pathways.
Simplified Trade Regime (STR) — Learning how to move goods efficiently and legally across borders for small scale traders.

Participants also benefitted from key policy insights shared by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), equipping them to navigate customs procedures and meet export quality checks.

As Mr. Maesious Hankanga from the Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Department explained, “Standards are not just rules; they are the key to unlocking premium markets.” Mr. Wilson from ZRA reinforced this by walking participants through practical STR applications, helping them avoid costly trade pitfalls.

Along the same Tanzania-Zambia corridor, AGMARK was simultaneously supporting traders in Tunduma, Tanzania. Read about that parallel engagement in Strengthening Cross-Border Grain Trade in Tunduma, Tanzania.

Challenges and Lessons for Future Engagement

As with many cross-border engagements, a few challenges emerged. The hot and dry Nakonde weather, intensified by heavy truck traffic, created a dusty environment that affected participant comfort. Additionally, some women traders attended with infants, balancing parenting with full participation. Occasional crying and movement caused distractions for other attendees.

Some participants also had limited proficiency in English and could only express themselves effectively in the local language, Bemba.

These moments highlighted both the logistical realities of border towns and the determination of participants to show up and learn despite discomforts. In light of this, it is important to incorporate local language facilitators for multilingual inclusivity in future trainings, as well as considering on-site childcare or flexible arrangements for participants with young children, which is difficult but possible.

Looking Ahead

The training in Nakonde was more than just a skills workshop but a stepping stone toward stronger, more connected grain trade networks across the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. By equipping traders with practical business skills, compliance knowledge, and market intelligence, AGMARK and AGRA are enabling them to compete confidently in structured markets.

At Nakonde OSBP, every bag of grain crossing the border now moves alongside the knowledge, ambition, and resilience of a new generation of cross-border trade leaders. The trucks will keep moving, and so will the opportunities for traders.

AGMARK returned to Nakonde in September 2025 to deepen this work, training women traders on contracting, grain standards, and dispute resolution, the next phase of structured grain trade development at this border, building on the foundations laid during this July capacitation programme.

Namanga Youth Traders and Women Receive Grain Trade Training

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

CBTA Capacity Building at the Namanga Border

AGMARK, in its ongoing commitment to empowering cross-border traders across East and Southern Africa, conducted a dynamic 3-day training and stakeholder engagement program, from 16–18 June, at the Namanga border between Kenya and Tanzania. The training, part of the Cross Border Trade Association (CBTA) capacity-building project, aimed to strengthen the role of youth and women traders through practical training in structured trading systems, policy awareness, and business development. For the broader programme context that frames this engagement, see AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade.

The training also featured strategic stakeholder engagements, including border agencies, regulatory authorities, and financial institutions, all coming together to support more inclusive and efficient grain trade at one of the region’s most active trade corridors. This June engagement built on the governance foundations introduced at AGMARK’s earlier CBTA leadership training at Namanga in April 2025, which equipped trade association officials with the institutional skills this programme could then build upon.

Mobilizing Youth and Women from Kenya and Tanzania

Using the leadership structures of CBTAs in Namanga, Kenya and Tanzania, AGMARK mobilized a diverse group of participants for training. Special attention was given to young traders and women engaged in grain trading across five key value chains. Employees of trader businesses and established women-led enterprises were also included.

The recruitment drive received strong support from the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), whose local official helped identify participants and also took part in the three-day training.

Eligibility criteria focused on:

Active engagement in grain trading at Namanga border
Priority for youth and women
Stakeholders with experience in the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and operations of the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP)
Financial institutions willing to educate traders on accessible financial services

Structured Training for Structured Trade

The training took place at the AIC Namanga Church Conference Hall, which accommodated two classes: one for Kenyan traders and the other for their Tanzanian counterparts. AGMARK deployed a bilingual team of five trainers from both countries, ensuring contextual relevance and clear delivery. Topics covered included:

Structured trading systems
Trade facilitation via the STR and OSBP
Access to finance and financial products
Quality and standards in grain trade
Cross-border business collaboration

The final day of training featured interactive sessions with key stakeholders, allowing participants to ask questions, share experiences, and learn directly from regulatory and commercial actors. Before closing, an evaluation was conducted to gather feedback and insights from participants. The results will be compiled and analyzed to shape future training programs.

Stakeholder Engagement: A Multi-Agency Approach

One of the highlights of the Namanga engagement was the active involvement of border officials and institutional partners, including:

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
Agricultural and Food Authority (AFA)
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Namanga Branch
Representatives from farmer organizations and major buyers from Arusha and Kilimanjaro

These partnerships brought depth and relevance to the training, particularly in discussions around compliance, finance, and regional market opportunities. AGMARK’s engagement with the Tanzania side of this corridor also extended to Arusha, where grain traders received dedicated training on trade contracts and farmer linkages, part of the same regional cluster of capacity-building activities.

Tanzania Youth Cross Border Association Formed

Tanzanian youth participants formed a new Youth Cross-Border Traders Association and advocated for a designated market space on the Tanzania side of Namanga to conduct their trade activities. AGMARK followed up with District Commissioner Abdalla Salum Kalli (Longido District) to support this request. The government is reviewing the proposal. Local government support is essential to make the new Youth CBTA chapter in Tanzania fully operational and effective in its advocacy. AGMARK will continue to monitor the progress and development of the youth-led association and explore how future programming can support its goals.

A Cross-Border Trade Future Led by Youth and Women

The Namanga training exemplified the power of inclusive trade training. By bringing together youth and female traders, border officials, and institutional partners, AGMARK continues to champion a collaborative and sustainable grain trade network across East Africa.

This initiative equips traders with the tools they need, and gives them a platform to organize, advocate, and thrive in a competitive regional market. AGMARK returned to Namanga in September 2025 to deliver a further round of cross-border grain trade training, continuing the momentum built here and deepening the skills of traders on both sides of the border.

AGMARK Empowers Gen Z with Grain Trade & Business Skills in Busia, Kenya

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A New Generation at the Busia Border

A new wave of Gen Z-led trade is on the rise across East Africa, and AGMARK is proud to be nurturing the next generation of cross-border business leaders.

AGMARK, in partnership with AGRA, continues to champion inclusive and structured grain trade across East and Southern Africa through the Cross Border Trade Association (CBTA) empowerment project. For the full programme background behind this work, see AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade, the regional initiative that frames all AGMARK cross-border capacity-building activities across East and Southern Africa.

As part of this project, AGMARK recently conducted a high-impact Youth and Women Cross-Border Trade Training in Busia, Kenya, with a strong focus on grain standards, post-harvest management, and business advisory, alongside access to structured markets and sustainable trade platforms.

The 3-day program, held between June 17 and 19, 2025, brought together Gen Z traders, farmers, and aspiring entrepreneurs (70% of them women) who are determined to scale their agribusiness ventures beyond borders. The program was designed to enhance participants’ readiness for modern agribusiness while promoting green jobs and sustainable economic development. This training built directly on the governance and leadership foundations established through AGMARK’s earlier CBTA leadership training at the Busia and Namanga borders, which equipped trade association officials with the institutional structures needed to support field programmes like this one.

Gen Z Business Skills Training

The initiative kicked off with stakeholder mobilization and logistical planning. Local leaders, farmer groups, and cross-border traders were engaged to ensure inclusive participation. Over three packed days, Gen Z participants explored hands-on, practical modules covering the entire grain trade value chain:

Grain Standards & Quality Parameters in the ESA Region: Understanding what sells in structured markets.
Post-Harvest Management: Keeping product quality high and losses low.
Negotiation & Contracting: How to close deals with processors, cooperatives, and traders.
Market Intelligence: Leveraging platforms like the COMESA Regional Food Balance Sheet.
Trade Linkages & Dispute Resolution: Navigating contracts, resolving conflicts, and understanding the Simplified Trade Regime (STR).

One standout session was led by Mr. Elly Mutai of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), who simplified trade policy into real-life business tools for youth. He broke down the complexities of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), helping participants understand how to legally and efficiently move goods across borders. What is often seen as dry policy was broken down into practical knowledge that empowered young traders to navigate customs procedures, access duty-free thresholds, and avoid common pitfalls in informal trade. Many participants described the session as an “eye-opener” and a “game-changer” for their businesses.

Challenges Faced and Resilience Shown

Despite a few logistical hurdles, the enthusiasm and commitment of the youth participants remained unwavering. The training venue, Rasto Park Hotel, saw an overwhelming turnout, resulting in overcrowded rooms that tested both space and comfort, particularly for young parents and participants with physical limitations.

A number of young mothers attended the sessions with their infants, balancing parenting duties while remaining fully engaged in discussions and activities. While occasional disruptions occurred, these moments also highlighted the determination of Gen Z to show up and grow, regardless of personal circumstances.

There were also heightened expectations around the scope of the project, particularly regarding immediate economic benefits. Through open dialogue and transparent communication, facilitators helped participants better understand the program’s long-term objectives, emphasizing knowledge-building, market access, and sustainable impact over quick financial outcomes.

These real-life moments were a powerful reminder that youth are already leading. But for their potential to flourish, training programs must be inclusive by design, with attention to infrastructure, accessibility, and life realities. With the right support systems in place, the next generation of cross-border traders can rise even higher.

The Bigger Picture

With 100% youth attendance and 70% women participants, the energy and determination in the room were palpable. These sessions transfer skills, build networks, and create a pipeline of leaders for tomorrow’s trade.

This training is part of a regional initiative targeting border points like Busia, Namanga, Tunduma-Nakonde, and Kasumulu-Songwe, aiming to build a pipeline of youth-led agribusinesses in East and Southern Africa, and expanding support for women and youth in structured grain trade. The Busia border context, and the women traders who have navigated it for years, is explored in depth in Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border, a portrait of the structural barriers these traders face and the resilience they bring to cross-border commerce.

AGMARK aims to involve more women and youth in future CBTA trainings by implementing targeted outreach, flexible scheduling, supportive environments, and mentorship programs, while also providing financial incentives and recognizing their achievements. AGMARK has also extended its reach at Busia through the Jogoo FM media partnership in Busia, Uganda, using community radio to broadcast trade education and drive CBTA membership among traders on both sides of the border.

By training Gen Z in business advisory, market standards, and trade policy, AGMARK and AGRA are enabling youth to participate in, and lead, structured grain trade and green jobs.

The future of trade is already here, and it’s Gen Z.

AGMARK Conducts CBTA Leadership Training in Busia and Namanga

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A Two-Border Training Initiative

We are pleased to report that significant training initiatives took place at the Busia and Namanga borders, aimed at enhancing the capacities of officials involved in cross-border trade. These initiatives, part of the Cross Border Trade Association (CBTA) empowerment project, were focused on equipping participants with essential skills in leadership, governance, and financial literacy. The training sessions were held on both sides of the Busia border, in Kenya and Uganda, and at the Namanga border, between Kenya and Tanzania, led by experienced trainers from AGMARK.

For the broader programme context behind these training activities, see AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade, the regional initiative that brings together all the CBTA capacity-building work across Eastern and Southern Africa.

CBTA Leadership Training in Busia

The training sessions for CBTA officials in Busia were conducted over two days, with each day dedicated to officials from either side of the border. On February 13th, the training took place at Busia Gold Star Resort for the Ugandan officials from Busia Women Cross-Border Traders Cooperative, and on February 14th, it was held at Rowcena Hotel for the Kenyan officials from Busia Women Cross-Border Traders SACCO. The training aimed at enhancing the leadership and governance skills of the officials, as well as improving their financial literacy.

The evaluation of the CBTA training sessions in Busia showed overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants rated their satisfaction levels highly, with 90% agreeing that they had a better understanding of leadership principles and good governance practices. Similarly, 85% of the trainees felt that the financial literacy module enhanced their understanding of financial concepts and strategies.

To understand the trading context and the challenges the Busia SACCO and Cooperative members navigate every day, read Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border, a portrait of the women traders and the structural barriers they face at one of East Africa’s busiest crossings.

Women & Youth Leadership Training in Namanga

Following the successful training in Busia, a similar capacity-building initiative was conducted at the Namanga border between Kenya and Tanzania from March 24th to 29th, 2025. The training, which took place at AIC Namanga Church, focused on women and youth from both Namanga, Kenya, and Tanzania. It aimed to supervise and enhance the skills of CBTA officials in leadership, governance, financial literacy, and internal controls. Despite challenges such as participant mobilization, weather-related delays, language barriers, and varying literacy levels, the training sessions were impactful and well-received.

The training in Namanga faced some logistical challenges, including difficulties in mobilizing participants and translating course content into Kiswahili. However, the training successfully enhanced the participants’ understanding of leadership, governance, and financial literacy. The feedback highlighted the importance of preparing bilingual training materials and scheduling sessions during dry seasons to minimize disruptions.

AGMARK’s engagement at Namanga continued in the months that followed, with a deeper and more expansive training programme delivered for youth and women traders at the same border. Read about that next phase in Namanga Youth Traders and Women Receive Grain Trade Training.

Importance of Capacity Building for CBTAs

Capacity building for Cross Border Trade Associations (CBTAs) is important for several reasons:

Enhanced Leadership and Governance: Effective leadership and governance are essential for the smooth operation of CBTAs. Training in these areas helps officials understand and implement best practices, ensuring compliance and building a culture of transparency and accountability.
Improved Financial Literacy: Financial literacy is vital for managing resources, budgeting, and planning. By equipping officials with financial knowledge, CBTAs can make informed decisions that contribute to their sustainability and growth.
Operational Efficiency: Capacity building enhances the overall efficiency of CBTAs by providing officials with the skills needed to manage operations effectively. This includes internal controls, strategic planning, and problem-solving.
Empowerment and Engagement: Training initiatives empower officials and members by boosting their confidence and competence. This leads to greater engagement and participation in cross-border trade activities, driving economic growth and development.

The CBTA training initiatives in Busia and Namanga were crucial steps in empowering cross-border trade officials and members. By enhancing their skills in leadership, governance, and financial literacy, these trainings pave the way for more effective and structured cross-border trade. In the long run, this will strengthen relations with traders and officials across borders, increase trade volumes, and enhance social and economic development.

AGMARK aims to involve more women and youth in future CBTA trainings by implementing targeted outreach, flexible scheduling, supportive environments, and mentorship programs, while also providing financial incentives and recognizing their achievements. This commitment is already bearing fruit at Busia, where Gen Z traders have since received dedicated grain trade and business skills training, a sign that the leadership foundations built during this training are being extended to the next generation of cross-border traders at the same border.

Youth Trade Focus at the Malawi-Tanzania Border

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The Kasumulu-Songwe Crossing: A Trade Gateway Under Pressure

The Kasumulu-Songwe border is a critical gateway between Malawi and Tanzania, facilitating substantial volumes of cross-border trade. Strategically located, this crossing links major transport networks and economic zones, making it a hub for the movement of goods and services. In 2022, trade between the two countries reached USD 81.54 million. The recent introduction of an electronic data exchange system between the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) at the border is a major step forward, improving customs efficiency, reducing clearance times, and promoting transparency. However, despite these developments, youth trade faces significant barriers, particularly in accessing and benefiting from these opportunities.

Why Youth Trade Inclusion Matters

Africa’s youth represent more than 60% of the continent’s population, and Malawi and Tanzania are no exceptions. Engaging young people in cross-border trade is key to long-term economic resilience and poverty reduction. Youth bring energy, adaptability, and technological fluency, all important for navigating modernized trade systems.

Creating an enabling environment for youth trade at border points like Kasumulu-Songwe is not just socially beneficial but also economically strategic.

At Kasumulu-Songwe, there are potential job creation pathways where youths were actively involved in grain storage management and the transportation of cereals across the border. Despite this, youth engagement in cross-border trade remains minimal due to policy gaps, poor infrastructure and restricted access to credit for youth, especially informal and small-scale traders.

Policy Gaps and Strategic Opportunities

A policy gap analysis of Kasumulu-Songwe Border conducted by AGMARK reveals several areas that need attention to improve the operating environment for youth trade:

Harmonization of Trade Standards: There is a lack of harmonized trade standards between Malawi and Tanzania, leading to lengthy customs clearance processes. Harmonizing these standards can streamline trade operations and reduce delays.
Infrastructure Investment: Poor transport networks and inadequate grain handling facilities are significant barriers. Upgrading transport infrastructure and developing modern storage facilities are essential to support efficient trade.
Digitization of Customs: Despite the introduction of the electronic data exchange system between revenue authorities, the current customs processes are largely manual, causing delays and inefficiencies. Digitizing customs systems can enhance transparency, speed up clearance times, and reduce the cost of doing business.
Inclusive Policy Design: There is minimal policy emphasis on gender and youth-specific support. Developing targeted financial resources, leadership programs, and capacity-building initiatives for women and youth can empower these groups and enhance their participation in cross-border trade.
Enhanced Inter-Agency Coordination: Better collaboration between TRA and MRA can eliminate redundancies, saving time and money for all traders.

Formalizing Trade Through CBTAs

Establishing and empowering Cross-Border Trade Associations (CBTAs) is a strategic pathway to formalizing informal youth trade. CBTAs provide structure, advocacy, and access to resources.

Recommended steps include:

Capacity Building: Training youth in trade laws, quality standards, and digital platforms to improve their market access and competitiveness.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Constructing youth-friendly facilities such as storage units, digital service centres, and transit shelters.
Financial Access: Partnering with microfinance institutions to offer youth-friendly loans and credit schemes.
Regulatory Simplification: Simplifying trade procedures and ensuring transparent, youth-accessible information systems.
Inclusive Governance: Mandating youth and gender representation in CBTA leadership through by-laws and quotas.

The Kasumulu-Songwe border is not just a trade route but a launchpad for economic opportunity, especially for youth. AGMARK is pushing for the establishment of formal CBTAs at the Kasumulu-Songwe border point. This is a critical step towards creating a more organized and efficient trading environment. This effort is part of AGMARK and AGRA’s regional programme to empower women and youth in cross-border grain trade, which was formally set in motion at the ESA programme launch in Nairobi in February 2025 and spans multiple borders across Eastern and Southern Africa.

By addressing policy gaps, upgrading infrastructure, and promoting inclusive governance through CBTAs, Malawi and Tanzania can turn this border into a model of youth-driven economic development.

Investing in youth trade supports both inclusion and sustainable regional growth.

The progress at Kasumulu-Songwe since this analysis was conducted shows real momentum. On the Tanzania side, youth traders went on to formally establish a Cross-Border Trade Association in Kasumulu, building the governance structures and collective voice that this piece identified as essential. On the Malawi side, the Songwe Cross-Border Trade Association was officially launched, creating a formal platform for Malawi traders to engage in structured, fair, and transparent cross-border grain trade.

Empowering Women and Youth in ESA Grain Trade Launch

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

On February 28, 2025, AGMARK launched its project at the Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, marking the start of a new push for structured cross-border grain trade in the ESA region. This high-profile launch event, organized in partnership with AGRA, brought together government officials, regional organizations, cross-border trader associations (CBTAs), and private sector leaders. The primary focus was to empower women and youth by enhancing their participation in the grain trade, creating new opportunities and fostering sustainable economic growth across the region.

This event marked the public debut of a programme that had been carefully developed through the strategic partnership between AGMARK and AGRA to empower women and youth in cross-border grain trade across Eastern and Southern Africa, a collaboration that outlines the vision, target regions, and expected outcomes underpinning all the field work that followed.

Workshop Objectives

The workshop was designed with clear goals in mind:

Introducing the Project: The project, titled “Empowering Women and Youth to Participate in Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade through CBTAs in ESA Regions”, aims to boost the institutional and trade capacities of CBTAs. This enhancement will support effective participation in grain trade and create new job opportunities.
Engaging Stakeholders: A key objective was to foster a collaborative environment where governments, regional bodies, and the private sector work together toward a shared vision of an inclusive trade landscape.
Presenting Key Findings and Recommendations: Insights from the institutional capacity assessment of CBTAs were shared, setting the stage for actionable strategies.
Officially Launching the Project: The formal project launch was marked by an address from the guest of honor that set the tone for the work ahead.

Workshop Outcomes

The event achieved several critical outcomes:

Enhanced Awareness and Collaboration: Stakeholders left with a deeper understanding of the project’s goals and the central role of CBTAs in structured grain trade.
Alignment on Actionable Strategies: There was a unanimous agreement on practical solutions to empower women and youth, ranging from capacity-building initiatives to improved financial inclusion.
Identification of a Capacity Building Pathway: Priority activities were outlined to ensure that CBTAs are well-equipped to navigate and thrive in cross-border trade environments.

Voices of Leadership

Guest of Honour – Ms. Pamela Betty Awuor

In her address, Ms. Awuor highlighted the indispensable role of structured cross-border grain trade in strengthening economic empowerment and food security. She stressed the need for thorough capacity-building programs, strong policy support, and improved access to financing, all needed to overcome trade barriers. Her call for sustained collaborative partnerships reflected the long-term vision of the project.

Remarks by AGRA – Isaac Gokah

Isaac Gokah reaffirmed AGRA’s commitment to creating inclusive agricultural markets. He pointed out that the project reflects a shared vision of strengthening trade facilitation and building resilient institutional capacities. By empowering small-scale traders, especially women and youth, AGRA aims to open structured markets, reduce trade barriers, and drive sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.

Panel Discussion Highlights

An interactive panel discussion brought together key representatives from entities such as the Kenya Revenue Authority, various farmer organizations, ThriveAgric, and CBTA-Zambia. The discussion covered several pressing issues:

Policy Harmonization: The need for synchronized policies to streamline cross-border trade processes.
Financial Inclusion: Strategies to enhance access to credit for small-scale traders.
Capacity Building: Initiatives to improve business acumen, digital literacy, and market access. Strengthening CBTAs: Enhancing the role of CBTAs as advocates and supporters of their members.

Among the panelists was Ms. Florence Atieno, Chairlady of the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders SACCO in Kenya, a trader whose decades of experience at the Kenya-Uganda border represent exactly the kind of ground-level resilience this programme is designed to support. Her story, and those of the women she leads, are told in Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border.

From Launch to Action: First Field Activities

The official launch of this project marks a significant step toward transforming agricultural trade in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. By focusing on capacity building and building strategic partnerships, the initiative aims to create inclusive markets, empower women and youth, and drive economic resilience. As the project unfolds, it aims to bridge trade gaps and set a precedent for sustainable, equitable growth in the region.

The field activities that followed the Nairobi launch have already translated this vision into practice across multiple corridors. Along the Tanzania-Zambia border, AGMARK began conducting institutional capacity assessments and CBTA engagements at key border posts as one of the programme’s first on-the-ground activities. On the Malawi-Tanzania corridor, youth traders at the Kasumulu-Songwe border are stepping into leadership roles in structured cross-border grain trade, an early demonstration of how the programme’s focus on the next generation of traders is already taking shape.

Resilient Women Traders at the Busia Border

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Busia: A Vital Cross-Border Trade Hub

Busia is unique: it exists as two towns, one in Kenya and one in Uganda, separated by the border. It is more than just a border town; it’s a thriving trade corridor linking Kenya and Uganda, where commerce fuels livelihoods and economic growth.

This dynamic makes Busia a vital trade hub in East Africa and one of the busiest border points in the region, playing a key role in transporting goods across East Africa. Women traders are an integral part of cross-border trade here, driving economic activity and sustaining livelihoods for thousands of families. Organizations like the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders SACCO (Kenya) and the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders Cooperative (Uganda) empower women traders by providing financial services, advocacy, and support networks.

AGMARK has been working closely with both organizations, building trader capacity on both sides of the border. For a detailed look at how this has progressed on the Uganda side, read Empowering Cross-Border Women Grain Traders in Busia, Uganda.

Women Traders Leading Cross-Border Trade

One such trader making an impact in cross-border trade in Busia is Ms. Florence Atieno, Chairlady of the Busia Women Cross-Border Traders SACCO based in Busia, Kenya. Florence trades in cereals amongst other commodities and has been a cross-border trader for more than 20 years.

She is a strong advocate for trading through the proper legal channels. She has single-handedly led the revival of the association for women cross-border traders in Busia. By organizing themselves, women cross-border traders now have a visible presence and audible voice at the border.

Another trader making a significant impact is Ms. Pauline Ikapoloni, the Cereal Leader of the Busia Women Cross Border Traders SACCO. She is a key player in cross-border trade and facilitates the movement of over 16 trailers of grains across the Busia border and supplies wholesalers in Iten, Kitale, Bungoma, and various schools.

Women traders at Busia are moving more than grain across borders. Some have taken the next step into value addition and agribusiness. The Silai Boost Flour initiative is one such example: a women-owned enterprise at the Busia border creating nutritious products and opening new market channels for women traders in the region.

Despite their success, women traders like Florence and Pauline continue to struggle with logistical challenges, particularly the lack of proper storage and inspection facilities, which increases business costs.

Challenges in Cross-Border Trade at the Busia Border

Traders encounter numerous non-tariff barriers that hinder the smooth flow of goods between Kenya and Uganda. The border clearance process is often slow due to poorly coordinated government agencies such as KRA, Port Health, KEPHIS, and KEBS. The lack of clear communication and overlapping responsibilities between agencies adds to the confusion and inefficiencies at the border. Additionally, the absence of dedicated spaces at the Busia border for fumigation and testing causes further delays, often leading to financial losses due to product spoilage and increased operational costs.

Women traders specifically experience unfair treatment just because of their gender and face safety risks, such as harassment and exploitation, due to the lack of proper security measures at border areas. This discrimination prevents them from having the same opportunities as men in the trade industry.

In addition, many women traders don’t have enough information about the rules and processes for cross-border trade at the Busia border. As a result, they miss opportunities and face delays. For Example, The Simplified Trade Regime (STR) was created to help small-scale traders by making border procedures easier, lowering customs fees, and simplifying the trade process for goods less than $2,000. However, many women traders are unable to take advantage of this initiative because they lack awareness or access to accurate information.

Overcoming Challenges for Women Traders

To strengthen women-led cross-border trade, it is important to:

✔️ Develop and implement regular training programs in collaboration with government agencies that focus on the rules, regulations, and available trade schemes (e.g., STR).
✔️ Advocate for the establishment of fumigation and inspection facilities at the Busia border to reduce the reliance on external services which sometimes result in fake certificates.
✔️ Work with agencies to lower fumigation costs, making it more affordable for small-scale traders to comply with plant health and safety regulations.
✔️ Streamline border clearance processes through better coordination of different agencies and implement digital systems to reduce delays and inefficiencies.
✔️ Improve access to proper storage facilities to ensure the quality and safety of goods and minimize losses due to poor handling.

By addressing these gaps, women traders can expand their businesses, boost regional trade, and create more economic opportunities for others. Simplified border procedures will especially benefit women entrepreneurs, who form the backbone of regional trade and are disproportionately affected by trade barriers.

Through partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, AGMARK is working to turn these challenges into opportunities. This effort is central to AGMARK and AGRA’s flagship programme to empower women and youth in cross-border grain trade across Eastern and Southern Africa. Creating an enabling environment for women traders will improve trade efficiency and strengthen regional economic growth. To support this mission, stakeholders including policymakers, development partners, and financial institutions must collaborate to implement sustainable solutions that empower women traders.

Investing in their success means investing in the broader economic prosperity of East Africa.

AGMARK is also investing in the next generation of traders at Busia. The Gen Z grain trade and business skills training programme in Busia, Kenya is equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to carry cross-border commerce forward, building on the foundation that women like Florence and Pauline have worked for decades to establish.

Enhancing Trade Capacity at the Tanzania-Zambia Border

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

As part of our current project, AGMARK conducted courtesy visits to relevant government agencies and stakeholders at key border points to introduce the project "Empowering Women and Youth to Participate in Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade through CBTAs in ESA Regions", and secure their buy-in. These visits included presenting the project's introductory letter and fact sheets to officers in charge of key departments, followed by brief discussions on the challenges and gaps in cross-border trade.

AGMARK formalized partnerships by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with CBTA-Tunduma and CBTA-Nakonde. These agreements outlined the roles, responsibilities, and mutual expectations for the successful implementation of the project. The AGMARK team also engaged with traders at the Nakonde border, focusing primarily on maize trade.

The Tunduma-Nakonde corridor is one of the busiest grain trade routes in sub-Saharan Africa, connecting landlocked Zambia to regional and international markets through Dar es Salaam port. Formalizing these partnerships was a foundational step under AGMARK's collaborative programme with AGRA, which targets women and youth across Eastern and Southern Africa. This initial engagement, one of the first field activities following the February 2025 project launch in Nairobi, set the stage for a longer-term capacity-building partnership with both CBTAs.

Based on the evaluation, Nakonde CBTA and Tunduma CBTA met the eligibility criteria and were recommended for further institutional capacity assessment. Geographically, CBTA-Tunduma operates at the Tanzania-Zambia border, CBTA-Nakonde functions at the Zambia-Tanzania border.

Institutional Capacity Assessment for Enhancing Trade

A CBTA eligibility criteria assessment was undertaken to evaluate the capacity of Cross-Border Trade Associations (CBTAs) at the Tunduma-Nakonde border (Tanzania-Zambia). The assessment focused on parameters such as women and youth involvement, geographic location, inclusivity, legal and operational status, advocacy for member interests, focus on grain value chains, partnerships and networks, institutional growth capacity, financial and risk management, openness to technological adoption, and membership size and scope. By conducting an Institutional Capacity Assessment, AGMARK ensures that the CBTAs at the Tanzania-Zambia border are well-equipped to support traders, improve trade efficiency, and contribute to regional economic development. The assessment also identifies key areas for improvement where AGMARK can provide targeted support through training and capacity-building initiatives. This includes enhancing financial management, strengthening governance structures, improving advocacy efforts, and promoting the adoption of modern trade facilitation technologies to empower CBTAs and their members for long-term sustainability.

The assessment findings gave AGMARK a detailed understanding of each CBTA's operational strengths and gaps. Both CBTA-Tunduma and CBTA-Nakonde demonstrated commitment to inclusive governance and grain value chain facilitation, though areas including financial record-keeping and structured trade documentation required targeted support. These insights directly shaped the capacity-building plan that followed. A dedicated structured grain trade skills programme for CBTA-Nakonde was developed from these findings, delivering training on grain standards, trade contracts, and dispute resolution mechanisms tailored specifically to the challenges traders face at this border.

Nakonde Market Loading Zone

Located at the Tunduma-Nakonde border between Tanzania and Zambia, the Nakonde market grain aggregation and loading zone is a busy center for grain movement across borders. Traders, transporters, and stakeholders come together here to facilitate the transfer of grains like:

🌽 maize
🍚 rice
🫘 beans
🌱 soybeans
🥜 groundnuts

This vital hub plays a key role in the regional trade network, boosting logistics efficiency and contributing to food security across East and Southern Africa.

The Nakonde Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA) is instrumental in organizing and advocating for small-scale traders at this border. CBTA Nakonde represents traders and addresses issues that affect them, such as smuggling, poor infrastructure, and lack of changing rooms. It also helps traders access permits for cross-border trade and runs the Trade Information Desk (TID) at the Nakonde border, which helps reduce the use of illegal routes. This will ultimately enhance trade capacity at the border. Through collaboration with AGMARK, the capacity assessments will identify challenges and develop solutions to enhance coordination, improve resource access, strengthen representation of traders and boost operational efficiency, especially at the loading zone.

By addressing these needs, we ensure that traders, especially women and youth, can navigate cross-border trade with greater ease and success.

The work at Tunduma and Nakonde did not end with the initial assessment and MOU signing. AGMARK returned to both border points with structured training programmes built directly on what the institutional review identified. In September 2025, AGMARK delivered cross-border grain trade workshops in Tunduma for traders and smallholder farmers, covering grain market standards, structured trade systems, and postharvest management. By November 2025, a dedicated CBTA training programme in Tunduma further deepened the association's governance capacity and trade facilitation skills. Together, these activities reflect AGMARK's commitment to sustained, evidence-based support along the Tanzania-Zambia corridor, ensuring that the groundwork laid in these early capacity assessments translates into lasting, measurable change for traders on both sides of the border.

AGMARK and AGRA Unite to Empower Women and Youth in Cross-Border Grain Trade

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

As we settle into the new year, we reflect on our most recent project that kickstarted towards the end of 2024. Africa must unite to enhance food systems and trade to achieve food security and drive wealth creation. To this end, AGMARK, in partnership with AGRA, is implementing a project dubbed “Empowering Women and Youth to Participate in Structured Cross-Border Grain Trade through CBTAs in ESA Regions”.

Cross-Border Trade Associations (CBTAs) in East & Southern Africa (ESA) are central to regional economic integration but face many challenges in effectively advocating for their members. The project, which officially officially launched in February 2025, aims to streamline processes and make cross-border trade smoother for everyone involved, enhance market performance and create work opportunities to empower women and youth by collaborating with Cross Border Trade Associations in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The two-year project is implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania along the border points of Busia–Busia, Namanga–Namanga, Kasumulu–Songwe, and Tunduma–Nakonde.

Six Focus Areas

Institutional capacity building for CBTAs – Equipping CBTAs with enhanced governance, leadership, and financial management skills. This institutional strengthening creates a stable foundation that allows CBTAs to offer better services, foster entrepreneurship, and advocate for women and youth in cross-border trade.
Strategic alliances and risk management – Forming partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to expand CBTAs’ reach and impact, enhance resource access and expertise sharing, and maintain operational continuity for women and youth traders.
Technical and entrepreneurial skills training for youth and women – Providing technical training in supply chain management, e-commerce, and structured grain trading, building an empowered workforce ready to handle the demands of structured grain trading.
Advocacy for supportive customs facilities and skill development – Advocating for customs facilities that address the unique needs of women and youth traders, and promoting skill development initiatives that build resilience and economic participation.
Market linkage and access to B2B platforms – Facilitating market access through platforms like Sauti Africa to connect traders, buyers, and off-takers, while simplifying customs processes to encourage formalized trade.
Leveraging AGRA’s experience and networks – Engaging AGRA’s expertise and regional networks strengthens AGMARK’s implementation capabilities, connecting CBTAs with additional resources and insights for a more coordinated, effective initiative.

Our first field engagement kicked off at the Tunduma-Nakonde border between Tanzania and Zambia, to carry out institutional capacity assessments and CBTA visits for future capacity building planning and efforts. The project will contribute to AGMARK’s overall mission to catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems across Africa by influencing and mobilizing partners to build a strong enabling environment where the private sector thrives, and smallholder farmers are empowered to produce sufficient, healthy food.