The East African Business Council (EABC), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), is implementing the EAC: EU Market Access Upgrade Programme Phase II (MARKUP II) to enhance market access and boost exports for over 400 MSMEs, women, and youth across the East African Community (EAC).

Funded by the European Union, MARKUP II aims to improve the competitiveness of selected regional value chains—such as coffee, tea, avocado, spices, horticulture, leather, packaging, and essential oils—by addressing trade barriers, strengthening compliance, supporting value addition, and promoting trade facilitation and investment.

Under this initiative, EABC will deliver targeted capacity building on trade portals, EAC Quality Awards, gender-responsive procurement (SheTrades), and public-private policy dialogues. Boot camps will also be held to equip youth with skills to trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This partnership supports sustainable and inclusive intra-African and EU trade, and reinforces EABC and ITC’s shared commitment to private sector development, regional integration, and economic transformation in East Africa.

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About EAC: The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of eight Partner States—Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—working to foster economic integration, peace, and prosperity. Established in 1967 and relaunched in 2000, the EAC Secretariat coordinates policies and programs to deepen cooperation and drive sustainable development across the region. Visit www.eac.int.

About ITC: The International Trade Centre (ITC) empowers MSMEs in developing countries to compete globally through trade-focused programs and partnerships. Visit www.intracen.org.

About EU-EAC MARKUP II: The European Union (EU)- East African Community (EAC) MARKUP II funded by the EU, aims to enhance economic development in the EAC through sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade. It is implemented by the International Trade Centre in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and national partners in the recipient countries. Visit www.eacmarkup.org.