As part of the advocacy work conducted in the EAC’s coffee sector, the EU-EAC MARKUP through the International Trade Centre (ITC) had planned a one-week study tour of Brussels for coffee business membership organisations (BMOs) and national advocacy consultants in 2020. During the trip, the association...

One of the objectives of MARKUP is to improve the harmonisation of standards for the priority value chains. Under the leadership of GIZ, one of the avenues to achieve this objective is through effective participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies. Codex...

If you ask June Gathoni today how her business is going, she will beam with confidence. But not long ago, she would have reacted differently. One of her company’s consignments to Korea was returned and the prospects for her company, Urban Fresh Ventures, did not appear very promising. However, June...

Stakeholders from across the East African Community (EAC) region and Europe gathered in the first week of March to participate in the MARKUP EAC Invest event. Participants praised the substantial dialogue during the fully virtual event and expressed optimism for the future of investment in the region...

Nowadays more than ever, learning how to take quality photographs and videos for social media and other branding communications is a valuable business skill. MARKUP via the International Trade Centre is happy to present the ‘Guide to Photographs and Videos on Social Media for Coffee SMEs in East...

This year, the renowned Chocoa Trade Fair Amsterdam went fully virtual. MARKUP, through the International Trade Centre, supported the participation of more than 10 Ugandan cocoa exporters and institutions to the virtual trade fair. Through the event, exporters were able to access new markets and attract...

Certifications are becoming a pre-requisite to access European markets. In order to be eligible for most certification schemes, companies will need to have a specific Internal Management System (IMS), which sets a standard quality of operations and working procedures. As companies often aim at acquiring...

Since April 2020, International Trade Centre through MARKUP has been closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the East African Community’s coffee sector. ITC conducted an impact assessment through a business survey to help understand the consequences of the global pandemic  on the coffee...

MARKUP, through GIZ, has developed a Policy Brief to outline the key harmonised requirements, processes and procedures as set in the EAC harmonised criteria for registration and certification of pre-packaged foods. It also outlines the roadmap towards adoption and effective implementation of the...

MARKUP is happy to present our newest update: ‘2 Years of MARKUP – Achievements and Impact’ It’s been an exciting two years of events, trainings, publications and networking opportunities, all leading to some excellent successes across the region and the programme as a whole. MARKUP has worked closely...

Why do we trust that the coffee, tea, cocoa or food items we buy at supermarkets will be fit for human consumption, that it is free from contaminants or pesticide residues and other hazardous substances? What makes us sure that we can eat what we buy? It’s because we know that these products are subject...

After running national bootcamps focusing on addressing the key challenges to access finance, around 100 companies across the region were selected for individual coaching. Business Development Service providers conducted webinar series as part of the coaching exercise to support SMEs fix business...