Inside EAC, Comesa plan to cut paperwork, fees on cross-border trade

A border crossing. 

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Two African regional trade blocs are working on a framework to reduce duplication of paperwork for cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and make trading easier for investors.

The East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) routinely require companies operating in their members states to seek approvals from both sides, doubling the cost of the transactions.