Juba, South Sudan — The East African Business Council (EABC), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Alliance for South Sudanese MSMEs (ASSM), convened a national webinar to strengthen the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to comply with quality requirements and improve their participation in regional and international trade.
Held under the theme “Navigating Quality Requirements with the EAC Quality for Trade Platform,” the webinar brought together entrepreneurs, exporters, policymakers, and business support organizations to deepen understanding of standards, technical regulations, and market expectations.
In the opening remarks, EABC emphasized that strengthening quality compliance is essential for enabling South Sudanese enterprises to fully benefit from opportunities under the East African Community (EAC) Common Market and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). MSMEs were encouraged to treat quality as a foundation for business growth, customer trust, and long-term competitiveness.
Experts from the International Trade Centre introduced the EAC Quality for Trade Platform, a free digital tool designed to help businesses easily identify mandatory requirements, voluntary standards, and buyer preferences in target markets. Participants followed practical demonstrations on how to navigate the platform and access relevant information for their export products.
Representatives from ASSM highlighted the everyday challenges facing South Sudanese MSMEs, including limited access to testing services, certification support, and market information. They encouraged businesses to collaborate more closely with national and regional institutions to build stronger compliance systems and improve readiness for cross-border trade.
Participants engaged actively in discussions, sharing experiences and identifying priority areas where technical assistance and partnerships are most needed. The dialogue reinforced the importance of coordinated regional initiatives to simplify procedures and reduce trade barriers.
The webinar concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to continue raising awareness, improving quality infrastructure, and strengthening linkages between MSMEs and professional service providers.
This initiative is part of broader regional efforts implemented by EABC in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Association of Quality Professionals (AQP) under the EU–EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme Phase II (MARKUP II) funded by the European Union, aimed at enhancing SME competitiveness and expanding market access.
