MSEA Leads Cross-Border Trade Empowerment at Moyale OSBP
0
0
By John Kariuki
The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has stepped up efforts to promote cross-border trade by spearheading a capacity-building workshop at the Moyale One Stop Border Post (OSBP), targeting small-scale traders operating between Kenya and Ethiopia.
Held in partnership with TradeMark Africa, the Marsabit County Department of Trade, COMESA Trade Information Desk Officers (TIDOs), and other key stakeholders, the workshop focused on streamlining and formalizing trade under the Simplified Trade Regime (STR)—a COMESA initiative that enables duty-free trading for small-scale traders through simplified customs documentation and a common list of eligible goods.
MSEA used the forum to raise awareness on its core mandate: enterprise registration, business support services, and the Nyota Program—a youth-focused entrepreneurship training initiative. The Authority underscored the need to transition informal businesses into the formal economy to improve access to finance, markets, and regulatory protections.
The training placed strong emphasis on inclusivity, with targeted sessions for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs)—groups that make up a large portion of the informal trade sector. MSEA and its partners reiterated their commitment to building a supportive, barrier-free trade ecosystem for all.
Other key issues addressed included customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance, security, and legal literacy—arming traders with essential knowledge for safe and compliant cross-border commerce.
By championing this initiative, MSEA reaffirmed its role as a driver of economic empowerment, formalization, and regional integration. The Authority’s efforts are helping unlock new opportunities for small businesses while strengthening Kenya’s position as a vital hub for regional trade and inclusive growth.
About The Author
