EU-EAC MARKUP II Academy

Online Training Platform

Welcome to the European Union (EU) East African Community (EAC) Market Access Upgrade Programme (EU-EAC MARKUP II) Academy! A learning space to support SMEs improve their competitiveness and access to export markets.

Enrol and access for free training programmes and resources to strengthen SMEs competencies, capabilities and processes for improved competitiveness and access to market.

Through this learning space you can access courses for self-paced e-learning, a knowledge depository and, for BSOs, resources to organize scalable workshops. Some of the courses target all types of SMEs while others are targeting specific sectors such as coffee or packaging.

Participants also have access to a virtual learning space where they can exchange experiences, tips and business ideas among themselves and interact with trade professionals.

Call for Expression of Interest

Training Institutions for Graphic Design Training - Rwanda

The International Trade Centre (ITC), under the MARKUP II programme, invites Rwandan training institutions to express their interest in partnering to deliver a specialized “Graphic Design for Packaging” training programme.

This initiative aims to upskill professional graphic designers and strengthen SMEs’ competitiveness by improving the quality of packaging labels and pre-printed packaging designs. Through this partnership, selected institutions will:

Enhance Professional Skills
Support SME Growth
Join a Regional Network
Benefit from Global Visibility

We are especially keen to hear from Rwandan universities, technical training centres, and creative institutes with strong experience in graphic design, digital media, or packaging-related courses.

The deadline for submission is Friday, 31^st October 2025

Ready to expand your business globally?

Join the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) funded by the European Union (EU).

The programme is designed to improve livelihoods, create employment opportunities and enhance export competitiveness for MSMEs in select value chains across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

What you will get:

Export readiness training
Branding and digital skills training
Access to international markets
Access to financial advisory services
Mentoring with international experts and so much more!

Apply now to start your journey to global success

EAC Regional Quality Awards 2025

RAISING STANDARDS: DRIVING REGIONAL EXCELLENCE & GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

BE RECOGNISED AS A CHAMPION OF QUALITY IN EAST AFRICA

The process for the 2025 EAC Regional Quality Awards, the region’s highest recognition for excellence in quality performance, was launched on 14th April 2025 in Arusha, Tanzania.

The primary objective of the EAC Regional Quality Awards is to foster a culture of quality within the East African Community by encouraging the adoption of standards and quality management practices across EAC enterprises. This, in turn, enhances competitiveness and stimulates trade.

Download Brochure

The EU-EAC MARKUP II - is a regional development initiative that promotes economic growth in the East African Community (EAC) through private sector development and export promotion.

Visit our partner states

Our Feed

National workshops are building soft skills for women in 6 East African countries.

Tanzania 🇹🇿 : 30 women-led businesses have already benefited from training in leadership, communication & negotiation. pic.twitter.com/bfhnQLmSlW
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) October 22, 2025

Don't miss this webinar to learn about opportunities and challenges in applying a circular economy model using different coffee byproducts. Click here for more https://t.co/FEQx9sFRw4 pic.twitter.com/wmkFGBJPWj
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) October 3, 2025

On this #InternationalCoffeeDay, meet the passionate coffee entrepreneurs from across EAC who showcased the region’s finest brews at #WorldofCoffee2025 in Geneva. @SpecialtyCoffee @EUinTZ @EUinKenya
Proudly putting East African coffee on the global map!https://t.co/zy0WwLnS4G
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) October 1, 2025

Information sharing, open dialogue, and demonstrations! 25-26 September
Keeping Tanzania‘s coffee sector compliant & competitive under the #EUDR @EUinTZ pic.twitter.com/SEX97rGDjr
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 26, 2025

Bright future of leather sector!
32 participants mastered new skills and techniques attending our Leather Manufacturing Training organized with @kirdi_kenya pic.twitter.com/gvmxi67hFc
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 10, 2025

12 standout trainers—chosen from 1,000+ applicants—are mastering coaching, pitching & negotiation in Nairobi to empower women-led businesses across Africa .

Their mission? Train the trainers. Spark growth. Scale impact. @ITC_SheTrades & @eawibpIn pic.twitter.com/orioqGzLvz
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 10, 2025

🇺🇬 Uganda Taste of Harvest – Robusta Edition is here!

Starting Sept 15 in Kampala, the 2025–26 #TasteOfHarvest will showcase Uganda’s finest Robusta coffees!
Winners go to AFCA #TasteOfHarvestauction to connect with global buyers. #UgandaCoffee pic.twitter.com/1VasUZOAEN
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 8, 2025

Building competitive, sustainable, & gender-responsive coffee supply chains!
6 Ugandan SMEs trained with @ITC_SheTrades to embed gender equality — from inclusive hiring to farmer support.
Each SME now has a tailored plan to strengthen inclusivity, targeting over 3,000 farmers. pic.twitter.com/EJxpacDgSy
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 8, 2025

Cupping session at the Burundi National Taste of Harvest Competition! The best lots will end up at AFCA Taste of Harvest Auction Platform! @SpecialtyCoffee @UEauBurundi @jumuiya @UN_Burundi pic.twitter.com/Wb6vx8zNDI
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) September 5, 2025

#NationalQualityAwards2025

UNBS launches National Quality Awards 2025, and hosts a sensitization webinar to guide stakeholders about award categories, eligibility criteria, and how to participate. 🎉

The National Quality Awards (NQA-U) are designed to promote a culture of… pic.twitter.com/w9g1LjPsxw
— UNBS (@UNBSug) August 29, 2025

Uganda National Quality Awards 2025 are open!
Don't forget to apply by 5th September. @UNBSug @EUinUG @jumuiya https://t.co/lvdJw5xby7
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 21, 2025

📰 MARKUP II Newsletter #7 is out!

From 🇹🇿 spices to 🇧🇮 coffee EAC SMEs are going global!

💬 "Now, international buyers are coming to us." Ernest, Burundi

👉 In this issue https://t.co/rtRnESVsrO
✅ @ITCnews ED @ Equator Chocolate 🇺🇬
✅ 40 EAC exporters #WOC25 🇨🇭
✅ And more pic.twitter.com/zyAkksHj8s
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 7, 2025

The impact of our support in Kenya! 🇰🇪@KEBS_ke Proficiency Testing Scheme is now ISO/IEC 17043 accredited for 21 programmes 🎉
A big step forward for quality infrastructure and trade facilitation. pic.twitter.com/h95KVQwvqf
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 24, 2025