Nairobi, Kenya – March 28 – The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Zep-Re (PTA Reinsurance Company) have officially launched the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA), a transformative initiative aimed at addressing Africa’s insurance capacity gap.
From left: H.E Veronica M. Nduva, CBS, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President – Afreximbank and Ms Hope Murera, Managing Director & CEO ZEP-RE (PTAReinsurance Company) during the official launch of Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA) on Friday, March 28, 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This groundbreaking alliance is set to empower African contractors, facilitate cross-border trade, and enhance the movement of goods and investments across the continent.
TABA is designed to provide a robust transit guarantee mechanism that will reduce trade barriers, lower costs, and improve the efficiency of goods movement across Africa.
The initiative aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single market for goods and services across 54 countries. By simplifying transit trade, TABA strengthens the trade insurance sector and allows businesses to operate with greater confidence while minimizing financial risks.
A Step Towards Economic Integration
During the launch event, H.E. Veronica M. Nduva, CBS, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), emphasized the importance of TABA in supporting regional integration.
“The East African Community has long been committed to fostering regional integration and economic development. Our customs union and common market pillars aim to enhance cross-border trade, reduce trade costs, and promote economic growth.
The establishment of TABA aligns seamlessly with our regional integration program by simplifying trade regimes,” she said.
Africa has approximately 110 borders, with 16 landlocked countries that rely on complex and expensive trade processes. According to the African Development Bank, transport charges in some cases exceed the value of the goods being traded.
TABA seeks to resolve these challenges by allowing traders to transport goods from Cape Town to Cairo using a single transit bond, cutting trade costs and minimizing delays. Also, customs authorities will benefit from guaranteed revenue collection in procedural breaches.
Building on Decades of Trade Facilitation Efforts
TABA is built on years of efforts by financial and insurance institutions to enhance intra-African trade.
Afreximbank, which has played a critical role in trade finance since 1993, and Zep-Re, a leading reinsurance provider, have come together to introduce a standardized framework that will harmonize trade practices and ensure secure and efficient trade movement.
Mr. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating:
“Today, we forge a new alliance to dismantle artificial barriers and reinforce the foundations of trade and investment across borders.
This initiative comes at a time when global integration is under strain. Through TABA, we seek to boost the efficiency of transit regimes, paving the way for a continental framework under AfCFTA.”
Ms. Hope Murera, Managing Director and CEO of Zep-Re, reinforced the impact TABA will have on Africa’s trade ecosystem:
“We are not just unveiling a new partnership—we are ushering in a new era. One that reimagines how we facilitate trade, manage risk, and support cross-border movement across our continent.
TABA represents a shared vision of an Africa connected by opportunities rather than barriers.”
Key Features and Benefits of TABA
TABA introduces a streamlined approach to trade facilitation by leveraging Transit Bonds, Performance Bonds, and Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) to ensure the secure movement of goods. The initiative aims to:
- Enhance trade efficiency by eliminating delays caused by multiple national bond requirements.
- Boost investor confidence through a structured and transparent customs guarantee system.
- Reduce trade costs, making African exports more competitive globally.
- Ensure compliance with customs regulations, preventing illicit trade and securing government revenue.
- Expand market opportunities for African businesses by enabling smoother cross-border trade.
Following the launch, key stakeholders will participate in B2B meetings and marketplace interactions to discuss strategies for implementing TABA across Africa.
An awareness campaign will also be launched to educate businesses and financial institutions about the new system’s benefits and operational framework.
About TABA
The Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA) is a continental initiative to revolutionise Africa’s trade facilitation through a unified transit bond system.
By fostering economic integration, reducing trade costs, and ensuring compliance with customs regulations, TABA supports the broader goals of AfCFTA in creating a single market for goods and services across Africa.