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Grassroots Advocacy & Policy Engagement – Influencing Trade Policy for Agroecological Products

October 24, 2025
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Practical steps to influence local/regional trade policy: preparing evidence, engaging NTFCs, working with CSOs, and aligning with AfCFTA advocacy spaces.

Practical steps to influence local/regional trade policy: preparing evidence, engaging NTFCs, working with CSOs, and aligning with AfCFTA advocacy spaces.

Why Advocacy Matters

  • Trade rules — from Simplified Trade Regimes (STR) to Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) standards — directly affect whether small agroecological traders can cross borders affordably and safely.
  • Without representation and data, policies often favour large exporters or conventional agriculture.
  • Grassroots voices have recently influenced:
    • EAC NTBs Act (2017) – more substantial NTB elimination.
    • AfCFTA Women & Youth Protocol (2023) – inclusion of informal traders.
  • Active participation ensures policies support fair, inclusive, and sustainable agroecological trade.

Typical Policy Gaps That Grassroots Advocacy Can Address

Area

Problem

Advocacy Opportunity

STR lists

Agroecological products are missing from the eligibility criteria

Petition to update STR Common List

NTBs

Persistent informal fees, harassment

Collective NTB reporting & escalation

SPS/TBT

Standards designed for large exporters only

Push for context-appropriate standards

Trade data

Agroecological flows are invisible in stats

Lobby for new HS codes/data disaggregation

Finance

No memorable credit lines for women/youth

Advocate for gender-responsive trade finance

Digital inclusion

Trade portals are not accessible

Push for multilingual, mobile-friendly tools

Foundations for Effective Advocacy

A. Organise

  • Form or join cooperatives, trader associations, or CSO networks.
  • Examples:
    • Cross-Border Traders Associations (CBTAs).
    • Women in Cross-Border Trade Networks (Busia, Namanga).
    • AFSA-affiliated agroecology alliances: https://afsafrica.org

B. Build Evidence

  • Keep simple records: product volumes, prices, NTBs faced, bribes paid, delays.
  • Collect testimonies: audio, photos, videos from traders.
  • Leverage digital tools:

C. Partner with Technical Experts

  • Collaborate with universities, CSOs, and trade capacity builders (e.g., trapca, TMA, AFSA).
  • They can turn grassroots data into policy briefs.

Entry Points to Influence Policy

1. National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs)

  • Mandated under: WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
  • Members: Public and private sector actors.
  • Tasks: Review customs processes, NTB resolution, and digitalisation.
  • Action: Request observer/associate membership via the Ministry of Trade.
  • Info: https://www.tfafacility.org

2. Border User Committees (BUCs)

  • Purpose: Local problem-solving groups at One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).
  • Meetings: Regularly discuss harassment, STR application, and NTBs.
  • Action: Ask to join as trader representatives.

3. Civil Society & Regional Platforms

4. AfCFTA Advocacy Spaces

  • AfCFTA Women & Youth in Trade Network: https://au.int/en/ti/cfta/about
  • National AfCFTA Implementation Committees: Run by Ministries of Trade, often through public consultations.
  • Action:
    • Register for updates on AfCFTA domestication.
    • Attend workshops/webinars organised by AU or RECs.

Practical Advocacy Steps

  1. Document Problems
    • Keep NTB records (fees, harassment, delays).
    • Use the NTB portal or WhatsApp to share quickly with groups.
  2. Analyse & Prioritise
    • What issues affect most traders? (e.g., STR refusal, SPS costs).
    • Use data to build clear asks (e.g., “Include our product in STR list”).
  3. Draft a Brief Ask
    • 1-page summary: issue → evidence → solution → contact.
    • Include photos or price loss estimates.
  4. Engage Policy Platforms
    • Present at NTFC/BUC meetings.
    • Partner with AFSA/CSOs to reach Ministries of Trade or the EAC Secretariat.
  5. Escalate Regionally
    • If national level stalls, use EAC NTB portal escalation or AfCFTA mechanisms.
  6. Use Media & Digital Campaigns
    • Community radio, WhatsApp, Facebook.
    • Highlight real trader stories to gain support.

Tips for Powerful Advocacy

  • Be organised: Present as a group or cooperative.
  • Use credible data: Prices, delays, and losses speak louder than complaints.
  • Be solutions-oriented: Propose fixes (e.g., training, digital STR list).
  • Engage regularly: Don’t only show up during crises — build relationships.
  • Protect vulnerable members: Avoid exposing individuals to retaliation; use associations to front demands.

Case Study

Women Bean Traders, Rusumo (Tanzania–Rwanda)

  • Formed an association after repeated harassment & NTBs.
  • Collected data on illegal payments & delays.
  • Partnered with AFSA & SEATINI to draft a policy brief.
  • Presented evidence to NTFC Tanzania → STR compliance improved, harassment hotline set up.
  • Later joined AfCFTA Women & Youth in Trade consultations to push for digital NTB reporting tools.

Key Links & Resources

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