Kampala, Uganda | January 2026 – The East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Quality Assurance Association of Uganda Limited (QAAUL), convened a national webinar to strengthen the capacity of Ugandan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to comply with quality requirements and enhance their access to regional and international markets.
The webinar, titled “Navigating Quality Requirements with the EAC Quality for Trade Platform,” brought together private sector associations, exporters, quality professionals, and business support institutions to explore practical solutions that help enterprises meet standards, regulations, and buyer expectations.
In remarks delivered by Ms Hidaya Mkwizu on behalf of the Acting Executive Director of EABC, Mr. Adrian Njau, participants were welcomed to the session and reminded that improving quality infrastructure is central to building competitive regional value chains. He noted that while MSMEs are the backbone of East Africa’s economies, many continue to face difficulties understanding and complying with complex market requirements.
EABC emphasized the importance of digital solutions and partnerships with national quality institutions to bridge information gaps, reduce the cost of compliance, and improve export readiness.
Representatives from ITC introduced participants to the EAC Quality for Trade Platform, a free, user-friendly digital tool that supports businesses in identifying:
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mandatory technical regulations,
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voluntary standards, and
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market preferences in destination markets.
Through live demonstrations, participants were guided on how to use different components of the platform, including tools that help firms map requirements, find qualified service providers, and learn from peer success stories.
QAAUL showcased the range of technical services available to Ugandan enterprises, including training, certification guidance, traceability systems, labeling, and continuous improvement approaches necessary to compete in high-value markets. The association encouraged MSMEs to engage quality experts early in their export journey to avoid costly rejections and delays.
The interactive discussions allowed businesses to raise real challenges affecting their daily operations, from meeting sanitary and phytosanitary measures to accessing affordable certification services. Participants also exchanged experiences on how stronger cooperation between the private sector and quality institutions can unlock new trade opportunities.
The webinar concluded with key takeaways urging MSMEs to actively adopt digital tools, strengthen internal quality management systems, and utilize the regional support structures available through EABC and its partners.
This activity forms part of wider regional efforts to enhance the competitiveness of East African enterprises and promote sustainable integration into global value chains.
