Press Release

For Immediate Release

Certification programme improves efficiency of East Africas clearing and
forwarding professionals
Over 4000 clearing and forwarding agents have been trained across East Africa to quickly expand the evergrowing potential for trade within the East African region.
Nairobi, May 16th, 2016: A recently conducted independent survey by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) cites
that a total of 4023 out of 4500 freight forwarders and clearing agents have been trained on improving
trade logistics within the East African region. The USD 2.1M programme funded by TMEA and
implemented by the East Africa regional freight forwarding governing body (FEAFFA) in conjunction with
the East Africa Revenue Authorities (EARA) aimed to meet established skills gap among freight forwarders
and clearing agents.
The four year programme implemented between 2011 and September 2014 was based on the premise
that freight forwarders and clearing agents lacked necessary skills and capacity in clearing cargo at the
border points resulting to an increase in cargo clearance costs and cargo release times in the region.
Results of the program are tangible as a study by Kessler (2012) in Rwanda established that EACFFPC
certified clearing agents make eight times fewer errors per year than their untrained counterparts do.
Since freight-forwarding companies are fined for errors, the study estimated a US$385 annual saving for
companies who employ trained clearing agents.
Where you see trade grow you see prosperity take root. By training the key people in the freight
forwarding business, we are helping move goods quicker, save time and money and help the region
develop said Frank Matsaert, Chief Executive Officer of TradeMark East Africa (TMEA).
The efficient flow of international trade relies on a range of skilled service providers working together
effectively, including shipping lines, port terminal operators, customs officials, operators of off-dock
container yards, land transport agents, and clearing and forwarding agents.
According to the report, lack of skills and capacity among clearing and freight forwarding agents has been
identified as a significant hurdle in trade across the East African region.
In summary, there has been an 84 per cent growth trajectory on the average number of graduates per
year under the programme from 367 in 2011 to 678 in 2014 graduates per year before TMEA funding
began. TMEA funding has helped to realise an additional 311 EACFFPC graduates per year, equal to 1089
additional graduates from June 2011 to end of 2014.

Since 2011, 90 per cent of the targeted freight forwarders and clearing agents have been trained in the
five East African countries. Specifically, Kenya recorded the highest number of graduates under the
programme with 1665 graduate students while Tanzania recorded 1218 graduates. Uganda and Rwanda
had 717 and 299 graduates repectively while Burundi had 164 graduates.
A survey of EACFFPC graduates was conducted in which 100% of respondents said the training provided
them with new and/or improved knowledge and skills. 83% of respondents said that the training was
regularly useful in helping them to do their job better, indicating that the training proved to be highly
useful and applicable for those graduates in their day to day operations.
With more than 40% of business costs accruing to transport and logistics, there is increasing appreciation
of the importance of the sector in international trade. I am pleased this program has raised the
professional standards in the industry with the aim of increasing trade and prosperity in the region, said
the Federations Regional Executive Director, John Mathenge.
Janet Wanjiru is a beneficiary of the programme, says, I am a professional. I now serve the customers.
When a customer says I want to import X, I can provide all the relevant costs and other information to
help them. I understand the system and I am organised. I take pride in my work and I get respect from
customers, KRA and my colleagues and friends.
The program has enabled the customs agent to improve on the declarations they submit to Kenya
Revenue Authority which has enhanced the tax compliance levels. This has also reduced the number of
offenses committed by the customs agents enabling them to improve on the time taken for the cargo to
be cleared through Customs thus facilitating trade in the region, said Mr. Shehe Mzungu, a trainer
working with Kenya Revenue Authority at the Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA).
Our aim is to reduce the time and cost involved in movement of goods across East Africa by raising the
professional standards of clearing and forwarding agents since they are the ones mandated to clear cargo
by the EAC Customs Management Act, concluded Mr. Matsaert.
-ENDS-

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Interviews
To arrange please contact:
Nelson Karanja
Senior Communications Manager
TradeMark East Africa
T: +254 20 4235103
M: +254 731 500 596
E: nelson.karanja@trademarkea.com
URL: www.trademarkea.com
http://results.trademarkea.com/EACFFPC
2. TradeMark East Africa
TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is a not-for-profit organisation funded by a range of development
agencies with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through trade. TMEA works closely with East
African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society
organisations.
TMEA seeks to increase trade by unlocking economic potential through:

Increased physical access to markets;

Enhanced trade environment; and
Improved business competitiveness.

Increased trade contributes to increased economic growth, a reduction in poverty and subsequently
increased prosperity.
TMEA has its headquarters in Nairobi with branches in Arusha, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Juba,
Kampala and Kigali.
To find out more about the East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate Programme
(EACFFPC) evaluation report, please visit the TMEA results microsite at:
http://results.trademarkea.com/EACFFPC