Last month , the Gena Consulting team participated in the TradeMark Africa Trade and Transport Study Validation Workshop, which explored the costs, delays, and operational challenges affecting trade across East Africa’s major trade corridors.
The study examined both the Northern and Central Corridors, highlighting key bottlenecks such as border clearance delays, fragmented documentation systems, inconsistent logistics data, and limited cargo visibility. These inefficiencies continue to increase the cost of trade and place a heavier burden on small businesses and women-led MSMEs engaged in cross-border trade.
For Gena Consulting, the discussions reinforced the importance of understanding physical trade systems when designing digital solutions. Effective digital transformation must respond directly to the real challenges faced by traders and logistics actors on the ground.
The insights from the workshop provided an opportunity to assess where digital tools such as automation, integrated platforms, and improved data systems can reduce friction, improve efficiency, and strengthen regional trade ecosystems.
As we continue advancing digital trade initiatives, we remain committed to supporting solutions that create more inclusive, efficient, and accessible trade systems across East Africa.