The NCTTCA Executive Committee (EC) has directed the Northern Corridor Secretariat to engage the Member States to address the trade imbalance between exports and imports and promote the inland water mode of transport in the region.

Trading based on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) kicked off on 1st January 2021, creating a single continental market for goods and services to boost intra-Africa trade, economic growth, and development.

Since the launch of the Standard Gauge Rail (SGR) Cargo train in 2018, the Railway industry was positioning itself to be the transport mode of choice along the Northern Corridor region. By January 2021, the rail evacuated 21% cargo based on the Mombasa Port throughput; SGR hauling approximately 19.12% market share of combined imports and export volumes, mainly containerized cargo, excluding transshipment cargo. Imports containerized market share by rail was about 39.33% for both Transit and local markets.

Like every other economic sector, the Northern Corridor received its fair share of challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, with cross-border transit transport and trade almost grinding to a halt. The pandemic posed unprecedented questions as to how to facilitate the movement of goods while ensuring safety and preventing international transmission of the disease. Lack of harmonised mechanisms to respond to the challenges posed an even greater challenge.

The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly hit world economies at the beginning of the year, disrupting various economic sectors. Its impact on transit trade across the Tripartite region has been monumental. It is the disruptive happenings like COVID-19 that bring the efficiency of the transport corridors into sharp focus and highlight their level of resilience to disruptions.

The 41st meeting of the COMESA Council of Ministers conducted via Video Conferencing from 26th to 27th November 2020 directed speedy digitalisation of trade instruments which include electronic trade (e-trade), e-logistics and e-legislation under the COMESA Digital Free Trade Area initiative. The Council urged Member States to enhance investments in internet infrastructure and penetration to promote online supply of services and reduce costs of communication-mobile, internet and financial services to increase/expand the benefits of digital technology.