New taxes add to trade barriers within EAC, Comesa blocs

President William Ruto during the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, Nairobi. [PCS]

The introduction of domestic taxes such as excise duty in countries under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has raised concerns of uncompetitive practices in the region amid a push for a unified trade bloc.

These taxes have also been highlighted by the East African Community (EAC), where all member States except Tanzania are also signatories to the Comesa treaty.