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| Justice Rutenge, Executive Director - Foundation for Civil Society (left) and Elibariki Shammy, Country Director - TradeMark Africa (right) sign a partnership agreement for an inclusive and green trade project for the private sector and CSO's in Dar es Salaam. Looking on are representatives of both organizations. |
Dar es Salaam Tanzania, 17 May 2024: The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and TradeMark Africa have today sealed a grant agreement to launch a project dubbed Private Sector and CSOs for Inclusive and Greening Trade that will drive sustainable economic growth and inclusive trade practices, addressing the significant systemic challenges in Tanzania’s trade sector.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Ireland, and Norway, the TZS 2.3billion ($ 900,000), the project seeks to integrate the strengths of private sectors and civil society organisations to promote green economic growth.
Many women in Tanzania, remain in the informal trading sector facing top barriers such as limited access to finance, and inadequate training in trade-related skills. This initiative aims to dismantle these barriers, creating a trading environment that is inclusive and fosters prosperity for all.
The project, which starts immediately, is designed to leverage the unique strengths of the private sector alongside civil society organisations to enhance trade practices that are both inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Over the next 18 months, FCS will implement strategic interventions across multiple trade sectors, focusing on reducing environmental impact and promoting inclusivity in economic benefits.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, TMA Tanzania Country Director Mr. Elibariki Shammy said, “This project is central to our strategic objectives to stimulate trade growth while ensuring that it's sustainable and inclusive. We believe that through strategic collaborations like this, we can make a significant impact on Tanzania’s trade landscape. Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but a developmental one. Integrating women into trade boosts economic diversity and lifts entire communities. Through this partnership, we aim to develop a trade ecosystem that is inclusive and robust enough to withstand the pressures of global trade demands."
FCS Executive Director Mr Justice Rutenge expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential. "Consumer protection is crucial in today’s global market. Our collaboration with TMA is a monumental step towards establishing fair and green trade practices in Tanzania. We are dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of trade expansion are shared by all, particularly the most vulnerable sectors of our society," he said.
Mr Rutenge also disclosed that FCS would leverage the unique roles of CSOs and the private sector to address pressing issues of environmental degradation and social inequality.
The initiative also aims to create a trade environment that is inclusive and sustainable by increasing trade opportunities for marginalised groups, collaborating with civil society organisations to address their needs, promoting environmentally friendly trade practices, and enhancing consumer protection. TMA will support marginalised communities through smart-agriculture practices and market readiness programmes, contributing to their sustainable trade growth. Moreover, by advocating for sustainable trade practices, the project seeks to improve trade resilience to climate change, thereby contributing to the long-term viability of Tanzania's economy and environmental sustainability.
The project also includes the development of innovative digital technologies such as e-learning platforms for smart-agriculture practices, enhancing market readiness, and the global competitiveness of Tanzanian products.
This collaboration represents a model of how public-private partnerships can effectively address systemic challenges in emerging markets, creating pathways for more inclusive and sustainable trade practices.
For more press inquiries, please contact:
Sylviah Luseno
Snr. Communications Manager, TradeMark Africa
Email: sylviah.luseno@trademarkafrica.com
Cellphone: +254 780450703
Sara Masenga
Communication Officer, Foundation for Civil Society
E-mail: smasenga@thefoundation.or.tz
Cellphone: +255 757829004
About TradeMark Africa
TradeMark Africa (TMA), formerly TradeMark East Africa, is a leading African Aid-for-Trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and more environmentally sustainable.
TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by: Belgium, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, the Mastercard Foundation, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. TMA works closely with regional and continental inter-governmental organisations, national Governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Since its inception, TMA has delivered substantial gains for trade and regional economic integration in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, including a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor from Mombasa to Bujumbura, and a reduction of an average of 70% in the time taken to cross selected one stop border posts. TMA officially launched its continental-wide shift and rebrand in West Africa in January 2023, with Ghana being the first country of operations in the region.
In 2022, TMA set up a catalytic finance company – Trade Catalyst Africa – that will pilot commercially viable projects for creating trade infrastructure (both physical and digital) as well as increasing access to Trade Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Both TCA’s and TMA's headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. Offices are in: EAC Secretariat - Arusha, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, and Uganda, with operations in Mozambique, South Sudan and Zambia. For more information, please visit www.trademarkafrica.com
About Foundation for Civil Society
Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) is a leading Tanzanian not-for-profit development organization that provides grants and capacity building support to local civil society organizations (CSOs). Established in September 2002, FCS has become one of the largest sources of funding for small and medium-sized Tanzanian CSOs and one of the most prominent and credible civil society institutions in Africa.
FCS aims to create a Tanzanian society where empowered, resilient, and responsible citizens realize social and economic justice and improved quality of life. We believe in sustainable and inclusive development in Tanzania through strengthening capabilities and sharing resources by partnering with civil society, community groups, and other development actors. Our approach to bring about change includes:
- Strengthening capabilities of CSOs and local community groups.
- Leveraging resources and managing development grants.
- Catalyzing strategic linkages, convenings, and partnerships.
- Co-creation and management of projects.
- Strengthening internal systems and capabilities
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