KENYA

The EU-EAC MARKUP II - is a regional development initiative that provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East African Community (EAC) to enhance their export competitiveness, value addition and access to markets.

The project is tailored to the specific needs of each participating country targeting SMEs, sector associations and government institutions with the aim to create a more conducive business and export environment for SMEs and strengthen regional integration. The programme supports initiatives to address selected supply side constraints and enhance competitiveness. These include reducing market access barriers, strengthening the quality compliance and standards, value addition, certifi cation, training and capacity building for improved market access.

The programme supports initiatives to address selected supply side constraints and enhance competitiveness in Coffee, Leather and Packaging sectors. These include reducing market access barriers, strengthening the quality compliance and standards, value addition, certification, training and capacity building for improved market access.

Duration

2023- 2027
Funder

European Union (EU)
MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AND BENEFICIARIES

EAC Secretariat, relevant Partner States ministries and departments in Burundi, MSMEs and public/private institutions, research and Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in selected sectors.
Objectives
- Contribute to economic development in the East African Community through increased sustainable intra-EAC /African and EU-EAC trade.
- Improve livelihoods, employment, export competitiveness for MSMEs
- Promote economic growth in the region through value-addition, processing, diversification, export and investment promotion of priority value chains.
UNREALIZED EXPORT POTENTIAL

$ 78 millions.

METHODOLOGY

MARKUP II builds capacity of selected local institutions from public and private sector bodies. The programme assigns Performance Coaches who collaborate with Business Support Organisations and technical experts to entrench new innovations and competencies advancing the growing knowledge base across the region. Good practices and lessons learnt from MARKUP I have informed the approach of MARKUP II. This includes extension of the established network of Quality Champions and emphasis on investment promotion which includes mobilisation of capital to address various needs related to quality compliance, certifi cation, value addition, diversification of products and markets, branding and packaging.
MARKUP II mainstreams youth and gender through women and youth entrepreneurship groupings and supports selected regional women/ youth initiatives.

Key Activities:

Establishing a Value-chain specific Trade Obstacles Alert and Resolution Mechanism
Providing capacity building on market analysis and trade-related information
Harmonizating technical requirements for market access.
Providing capacity building in sector branding, labels and geographical indications and traceability
Providing capacity building in leather business and export skills of sector SMEs and cooperatives
Providing financial advisory services for MSMEs including access to investment facilities and online information on fi nancing opportunities
Facilitating regional business collaboration deals at MSME and Business Support Organisation levels
- Facilitate trade and investment promotion such as B2B, regional business deals, and promote trade/investment with the EU working with EU Business Support Organizations (BSOs).