Inconsistency in African policy for Covid-19 impact trade in the region

Last updated on January 22nd, 2022 at 08:07 am

If we were to go by official documentation, the policies in place by the East African Community (EAC) are definitely the ones that need to be followed to ensure that development takes place in the region but the concern arises when it is realized that it’s nowhere taking place.

Here it needs to be established that the six-nation bloc is a customs union and a common market and the community is looking to develop despite the Covid-19 scare but the uncoordinated policymaking in the African continent is threatening their attempts.

The lack of a consistent, common response in order to deal with Covid-19 in the region is greatly lacking which is essentially making the efforts of officials of EAC go in vain. For example, trade is one of the most affected aspects amid the growing discrepancy .

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One such incident happened when truck drivers entering Uganda from Kenya were asked to be tested before they enter the country. This compulsion sparked huge protests and was not accepted by the truck drivers and that led to a huge fuel shortages in the country.

This is the reason why Uganda has suffered such huge losses in recent weeks in terms of business. Uganda is a very crucial country with respect to the geography of the region. It is the direct link for the cargo to Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan as from here, the consignment ships from the  East African coast. The pandemic regulations in place have increased the duration of the activities to double the number of days. Not only has the duration increased but it has also increased the cost of transporting goods. The following information has been confirmed by the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa.