Collaboration
We are partner-centric, flexible and responsive to our stakeholder needs.
Aid for Trade, at Continental Scale
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading African Aid-for-Trade organisation founded in 2010, with the mission to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and sustainable.
Our mission
To increase sustainable intra-African trade and exports to the rest of the world.
Our vision
Africa pioneering in sustainable growth as a pathway to prosperity for all Africans.
Who We Are
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading Aid-for-Trade organisation founded in 2010 to grow intra-African trade, increase Africa’s share in global trade, and make trade more pro-poor and sustainable. We operate on a not-for-profit basis, funded by a strong coalition of development partners including Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, the Gates Foundation, Ireland, the Mastercard Foundation, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. TMA works closely with regional and continental institutions, national governments, the private sector, and civil society to unlock trade and investment opportunities across the continent.
A Major Role in Transforming Trade Across East Africa and the Horn
Since 2010, TMA has played a major role in transforming trade and regional integration, especially in East Africa and the Horn. Our work has helped cut cargo transit times by 16.5% along the Northern Corridor (from Mombasa to Bujumbura), and reduced border crossing times by an average of 70% at select one stop border posts. As of 2025, TMA operates in 14 countries across East, West, and Southern Africa and the Horn, with expansion underway in six more.
16.5%
Cut in cargo transit time along the Northern Corridor, Mombasa to Bujumbura
TradeMark Africa, 2025
70%
Average reduction in border-crossing times at select one-stop border posts
TradeMark Africa, 2025
14
Countries across East, West and Southern Africa and the Horn, with six more underway
TradeMark Africa, 2025
2010
The year TMA was founded to grow intra-African trade
TradeMark Africa, 2025
Figures as reported by TradeMark Africa (2025).
From an Idea About East Africa to a Continental Organisation
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2010 to 2017
TMA 1.0: Laying the Foundations
Our roots trace back to 2006, when the UK’s development agency (then DFID, now FCDO) commissioned a study on regional integration challenges in East Africa. The study revealed a disconnect between regional ambitions and national implementation. The solution? A new kind of organisation that could support both, aligning regional frameworks with national priorities. This gave rise to TradeMark East Africa in 2010, designed as a special-purpose vehicle to accelerate trade across the East African Community.
Our first programming focused on: physical access to markets - ports, access roads, and border infrastructure; a stronger trade environment through facilitating digital trade systems, harmonising standards, and fostering policies to enable investments; and improved competitiveness for exporters.
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2017 to 2023
TMA 2.0: Scaling Up and Deepening Impact
In this phase, we sharpened our focus on reducing trade barriers and improving competitiveness, as well as ensuring that those at the bottom of the pyramid would also benefit from trade facilitation gains. We also expanded operations to include all EAC countries, plus Ethiopia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. In 2022, we established Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA), a catalytic finance arm that pilots commercially viable trade infrastructure and improves access to finance for SMEs. In 2023, our continental transition was marked by a rebrand from TMEA to TradeMark Africa, and the launch of our West Africa presence, starting with Ghana.
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2023 to 2030
TMA 3.0: Accelerating the Trade Transformation
Our strategy for the decade ahead builds on hard-won experience, while addressing development challenges of the future. We are evolving to: unlock digital trade potential; enable African exporters to lead in low-carbon trade; tackle trade barriers that threaten food security; and drive more resilient, inclusive trade systems. The outcome will be larger trade volumes, more sustainable trade, and decent jobs created across Africa.
What We Stand For
Innovation
We empower our employees to create sustainable solutions.
Professionalism
We are enthusiastic in delivering excellence in everything we do.
Equal Opportunity
We embrace our differences, maintain respectful relationships with our employees and partners to promote equal opportunity for all.
Integrity
We are transparent, honest and ethical at all times.
Results Driven
We help improve the livelihoods of Africans through interventions.
