- A regional development initiative that provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East African Community (EAC).
- A regional development initiative that provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East African Community (EAC).
- A regional development initiative that provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East African Community (EAC).
MARKUP assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda by targeting specific agricultural commodities (i.e. avocado, cocoa, coffee, spices, tea and horticulture).
Interventions focus on:
-
![]()
The identification and elimination of barriers to trade -
![]()
Improving competitiveness -
![]()
Strengthening of value addition -
![]()
Ensuring compliance with international regulations and standards -
![]()
Providing access to trade finance -
![]()
Supporting the identification of opportunities for trade and foreign direct investments
The programme supports SMEs to improve the quality of their products by aligning them with international standards and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. This will allow EAC agribusinesses to benefit from greater business opportunities in both East African and European markets, to meet the growing demand in the EU for the products produced in the EAC. MARKUP will capitalise on this and help create sustainable market linkages between Europe and the EAC, and contribute to job creation and inclusive development in the region.
Crucial to the success of MARKUP is the inclusion of women and youth in trade. In most East African countries, women and youth account for a large proportion of the labour force, but are often not the primary beneficiaries of the economic opportunities provided by increased trade.
Latest News
MEDIA RELEASE: Building international links and overcoming barriers in the EAC coffee sector
Friday February 14, 2020
Mombasa, Kenya – The EAC Coffee Business Forum finished in Mombasa, Kenya today following a week which brought together 150 stakeholders from across East Africa’s coffee value chain to discuss barriers to trade and how to capitalise on current opportunities to be competitive on the international coffee market.
EAC Coffee Business Forum Video: Low Coffee Prices Worry Community Business
Coffee farmers and others along the value chain in East Africa are worried about the ever decreasing price of coffee. Experts says that this will affect the desire for the young generation to invest in the coffee business as the old aged coffee growers become frail. Uganda NBS's Solomon Serwanjja has been following this closely.
Day 1 UPDATE - EAC COFFEE BUSINESS FORUM LAUNCHING INNOVATIONS AND BREAKING DOWN TRADE BARRIERS
Tuesday February 11, 2020
Mombasa, Kenya – The EAC Coffee Business Forum today kicked off with high level speakers and the launch of an innovative online Quality Portal designed to help coffee producers better understand and meet quality requirements for exporting to the EU.
