The Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) was honoured to participate in the inaugural African Private Sector Hearing (APSH), held on 21 November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This landmark event marked a significant step forward in strengthening the role of the private sector in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The APSH provided a strategic platform for private sector actors from across the continent to engage directly with the AfCFTA Secretariat. Participants shared practical experiences, challenges, and opportunities relating to the movement of goods under AfCFTA rules—insights that are vital for shaping effective and responsive trade policies.
FEAFFA was represented by Ms. Priscilla Khamati, Director of Tamati Logistics Limited, a Kenyan logistics company that participating in AfCFTA trade, under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) rolled out by the AfCFTA secretariat. As a member of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), Tamati Logistics facilitated tea exports from Kenya to Ghana, placing it among the pioneering firms involved in early AfCFTA trade. This experience enabled Ms. Khamati to provide firsthand, evidence-based reflections on both the achievements and the operational difficulties experienced during cross-border trade under the AfCFTA framework.
In her submission, Mrs. Khamati highlighted several key challenges facing traders. She noted that many frontline customs officers still lack adequate awareness of AfCFTA procedures, resulting in delays at border points and a slower movement of cargo. This challenge is compounded by outdated customs IT systems that do not support seamless data exchange between customs administrations, making clearance procedures less efficient.
She also observed that the Kenyan requirement for all AfCFTA Certificates of Origin to be approved by customs departments adds an additional layer of bureaucracy not applicable to ordinary imports and exports. Furthermore, inconsistencies in the application of tariff concessions—despite commitments made by regional economic communities and partner states—undermine predictability for traders and create uncertainty in the trading environment. These issues collectively point to inconsistent implementation of AfCFTA rules and could negatively affect confidence in the continent’s trading system.
To address these challenges, Ms. Khamati proposed a series of short- and long-term measures. In the short term, she recommended that customs approval requirements for AfCFTA Certificates of Origin be removed to expedite export clearance. She also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of frontline border officers through targeted training and sensitization. Additionally, she encouraged customs departments to embrace digitization of their processes to improve efficiency and transparency.
In the long term, she suggested improving communication between customs administrations in trading countries, establishing a follow-up committee that includes private sector representation, creating bilateral forums to discuss and resolve trade bottlenecks, and developing an online portal through which tariff concessions can be accessed. She further recommended the introduction of regional risk-management systems and the full operationalization of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) to streamline cargo movement and reduce delays.
The AfCFTA Secretariat formally recognized the APSH as an institutional mechanism under the AfCFTA Private Sector Platform, the official framework for consulting and collaborating with private sector stakeholders across the continent. The APSH is currently hosted by the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), which plays a central role in facilitating structured dialogue, evidence-based submissions, and ongoing engagement between businesses and the AfCFTA leadership.
By creating a direct, transparent channel for private sector engagement, the APSH framework represents a significant milestone in continental trade governance. It ensures that real-world operational experiences from sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, digital trade, and financial services inform AfCFTA policy decisions. This approach enhances trust, strengthens collaboration, and helps develop trade policies that reflect the realities on the ground.
The inaugural hearing brought together leading firms and institutions from key economic sectors, providing a platform to highlight sector-specific challenges and opportunities critical to accelerating intra-African trade.
FEAFFA remains committed to championing the interests of freight forwarders across the East African region. Its membership comprises the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association (SSFFA), Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA), Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association (RWAFFA), Association Burundaise des Agences en Douane et Transitaires (ABADT), and Zanzibar Freight Forwarders Bureau (ZAFFA). Through initiatives such as the APSH, FEAFFA continues to advocate for harmonized, predictable, and efficient trade practices that support the growth of freight forwarding across Africa.
The writer is the Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) and can be reached at oniongaam@gmail.com
