TMA supported governments and regional institutions to strengthen their standards, quality and SPS systems. Surveyed firms reported a 44% reduction in conformity assessment time, from seven months in 2017 to four months in 2023. Country-level examples show what this means in practice:

• In Tanzania assessment time reduced from about one week to one day, with costs falling from 💲4,500 to 💲2,500.
• In Uganda, decentralised laboratories in Gulu, Mbale and Mbarara contributed to reducing analysis turnaround time from 25 days to about 10 days, while reducing the cost and risk of moving samples to Kampala.
• Somaliland and Ethiopia harmonised standards for 19 highly traded products, including canned tuna, sugar and fortified wheat flour.Over 50% reduction in compliance costs for businesses.
• 600 harmonised standards were adopted, including high-impact areas such as maize grain standards (including aflatoxin limits), cement specifications (strength and composition standards), and milk and dairy hygiene standards, estimated to cover product categories representing approximately 💲8-12 billion in intra-EAC trade annually