The Accelerating Progress Toward Health Coverage Project (PACSU), funded by the World Bank, the Global Financing Facility (GFF), and the Netherlands, aims to improve access and quality of health services; As a result of the project, the quality of services increased from 37% to 81%, with availability of essential drugs reaching 87%. The level of satisfaction of beneficiaries with health services reached 90%; In terms of infrastructure, 697 new buildings were constructed and 265 renovated or rehabilitated, and 104 centers were equipped with laboratories.

It was only during her seventh pregnancy that Ms. Salama Traoré was able to receive adequate health care: she was treated at a community health center in Bamako and expressed a sense of relief tinged with heavy memories. The ordeals endured by her couple, sometimes tragic, are not forgotten. “My first six children were born at home because my husband and I couldn’t afford the cost of pre- and post-natal care,” she said, referring to the loss of two of her children due to inadequate care. Ms. Traoré is now a beneficiary of the Accelerating Progress Toward Health Coverage Project (PACSU), which provides access to quality health care to the poorest in Mali.

Until recently, accessing health care was a daunting battle for vulnerable populations constrained by purchasing power and availability of care. “Previously, it was not uncommon for patients to travel between 3 and 5 kilometers to reach a community health center, often without being sure that they would be treated because of the high costs,” recalls Mr. Zanga Dao, Secretary General of the Kati City Hall.

Indeed, figures from the comprehensive survey on household living conditions (EICVM 2018 – 2019) reveal that 51% of Malians forego health care for financial reasons. This dropout rate is even higher for the poorest quintile (60%) classified by income of consumption levels and in certain regions such as Kayes, Koulikoro and Taoudenit. Even in Bamako, the capital, the financial barrier remains significant (40 percent). The low level of utilization of health services, even where geographic accessibility is better than average, suggests that financial barriers and quality of services are key factors.

More affordable and available care for vulnerable groups

PACSU, funded by the World Bank, the Global Financing Facility (GFF), and the Netherlands, aims to improve access to and quality of health services. The project contributed to increased utilization of services, quality of care, patient satisfaction, recruitment of staff, equipment, and expansion of infrastructure.

The Results-Based Financing (RBF) approach gives health facilities autonomous management of resources based on performance and allows for meeting specific needs such as equipment, human resources, and drugs. This method has proven to be effective, even in insecure areas, ensuring continuity of services with trained personnel.

Mr. Zanga Dao attests to the satisfaction of the beneficiaries: “It is a complete relief because in the center, the quality and affordability of care are now a reality.” The range of care offered meets the essential needs of the communities, including prenatal consultations, childbirth, malnutrition, and malaria treatment, among others.

“A consultation costs 1,000 CFA francs and the ticket is valid for one week; the follow-up of prenatal consultations during pregnancy costs 2,500 CFA francs,” states Mrs. Achta Dembele, a midwife. The Malian medical sector acknowledges the significant impact of the project. “Never before has our health system been so strengthened,” says Dr. Doctor Doctor of the Kati Health District.  Ismael Simaga points out that the project promotes quality, with constant availability of medicines in 90% of structures in Kati.

Increased utilization rates of improved health services

Statistics attest to the effectiveness of PACSU: the quality of services has increased from 37% to 81%, and availability of essential drugs has reached 87%. This was achieved through the recruitment of 337 local health professionals and the training of 80 senior officials from the ministries of health and finance to international RBF standards. In terms of infrastructure, 697 new buildings were built and 265 renovated or rehabilitated. In terms of equipment, 104 centers have been equipped with laboratories. In total, 2,251 out of 2,310 public and private health facilities have integrated RBF.

The project’s success is reflected in a patient satisfaction rate of 88%. Sidi Modibo Thera, a community auditor, believes that PACSU addresses a major challenge in medical practices in Mali: “That of transforming the caregiver-patient relationship into a provider-client dynamic.” The culture of performance and results is increasingly reflected in the attitude of users and health personnel in the centers involved in the project.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

In April, the International Trade Centre (in collaboration with the Uganda Coffee Federation) supported 6 Ugandan coffee producers to participate and exhibit at the week-long London Coffee Festival, through its UK Trade Partnerships programme (UKTP).

Taking place at Newman Breweries in the East of London, the festival drew coffee enthusiasts from around the globe to indulge in the rich aromas and flavors of their favorite brews. Visitors sampled an array of specialty coffees from different regions of the world including Uganda, with fine arabicas and robustas on display. Modern coffee roasting machines and technologies were also featured alongside presentation of cutting-edge techniques.

The London Coffee Festival is about more than just coffee, however —it’s a celebration of culture, community, and sustainability. Throughout the 4 days, attendees had the opportunity to engage with coffee growers and producers and learn about the journey of the humble coffee bean from farm to cup. Workshops on ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and environmental conservation underscored the importance of responsible coffee consumption in an increasingly interconnected world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Strathmore University Business School and the International Trade Centre (ITC) partner to open a Small Business Development Centre Digital Trade Hub in Kenya to provide small businesses with the e-commerce skills, tools and knowledge they need to expand their market reach and opportunities. This partnership is designed to foster economic growth, job creation and regional market expansion.

The Hubs will provide small businesses with e-commerce training materials and resources, as well as in-person coaching and training sessions, so they can overcome challenges to selling online.

The Business School through the Kenya Small Business Development Centres (SBDC) is providing advisory services, training, and facilitation of access to markets and finance for small businesses in six counties – Mombasa, Nakuru, Kiambu, Kisumu, Makueni and Isiolo – under the umbrella of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Strategic Partnership programme, backed by USAID funding.

To complement these services, ITC is providing a customized e-commerce learning programme, technical assistance and digital tools so small businesses can address the challenges of selling online. This work is being done under ITC’s Digital Moonshot and the European Union-funded East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme, now in its second phase (MARKUP II).

Building on an established partnership

Strathmore University Business School and ITC signed a memorandum of understanding on 13 March 2024 to establish Digital Trade Hubs in the six counties across Kenya, to equip small businesses with the skills and knowledge required to access new markets through digital channels.

The partners will reach out to other key e-commerce stakeholders in the country, to create an environment conducive to leveraging e-commerce for sustainable business growth, including for and through small businesses.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Around 50% of Ghanian exporters of goods and services face difficulties with non-tariff measures (NTMs) – which range from export inspection, customers clearance and visas to rules of origin and conformity assessment (performance, safety, efficiency) and irregular payments – according to a new ITC report: Ghana: Invisible barriers to trade – Business perspectives.

The report is based on a survey of 960 trading firms (of all sizes) across the country, conducted between October 2019 and June 2020. It identified trade hurdles through direct interactions with businesses – information that should help policymakers craft trade policies to boost Ghana’s trade and better integrate into global value chains.

These NTMs affect exporters of goods and services (47%) more than importers (33%), with impacts varying across sectors. In the information and communication technologies sector (ICT), the percent of companies facing obstacles was 52%, followed by manufacturing (48%), agriculture (43%), transport and logistics (41%), and tourism and travel (32%).

Both foreign and local regulations slow down trade. For goods exporters, partner (or destination) countries account for 69% of the hurdles, while Ghana accounts for 31%. The European Union (EU) holds the largest share of these NTMs at 34%, followed by ECOWAS at 27% and Asia at 11%.

But a higher NTM share does not coincide with a higher trade volume. While 40% of Ghana’s exports go to Asia, only 11% of companies face obstacles there. The opposite occurs in ECOWAS, with 12% of the export trade but 27% of the obstacles – an indication that it is relatively difficult to access. As for the EU, it accounts for 34% of Ghana’s export trade and 34% of the obstacles.

Too many regulations and procedures lead to delays, hindering business

Which regulations pose the most problems? For goods exporters, the biggest ones are technical measures (like wood fumigation), which account for 52%, followed by rules of origin (32%). For services exporters, however, tax measures top the list (31%) along with technical requirements (31%). For example, the paperless port system, which is mandatory, was introduced to reduce clearance time and human contacts; instead, completion time has risen from 2 to 5 days.

As for domestic procedures, the survey cites lengthy compliance procedures, high fees and charges, and informal payments. For example, many exporters say that obtaining a conformity assessment certificate means paying bribes at each level of the inspection process to speed it up.

Given that many of the difficult regulations and procedures are domestic – not just those of trade partners – there is a lot that Ghana can do to improve its business environment for trade, which would help create more jobs (especially for youth and women) and enhance economic development. Hence, the belief that market access begins at home.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.