Why customs harmonisation is critical for SME growth

Africa has no shortage of trade ambition. As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains momentum, the bigger question is whether businesses can move goods across borders quickly enough, predictably enough and at a cost that turns that ambition into real growth. While the agreement has laid the foundation for a more connected market, businesses only realise its benefits when goods can move efficiently across borders. “We’ve made important progress at a policy level with initiatives like AfCFTA, but the benefits are often diluted by operational friction,” says Nelson Teixeira, managing director of operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, FedEx,. “For many companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the reality is that cross-border trade can still be more complex than it needs to be. Different customs requirements, inconsistent documentation processes, and lengthy border procedures continue to add cost and delay shipments.”

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