This webinar is co-organized by IFPRI, REPOA
and the Food Security Portal.
When: October 27, 2020
3:00 – 4:30pm EAT (8:00 – 9:30am EST)
The International Labour Organization estimates that approximately 80% of workers in Africa South of the Sahara are employed in the informal economy. Beyond providing employment, particularly to society’s more vulnerable or marginalized groups – especially women, informal trading plays a critical role in ensuring the food security of both the urban and rural poor. It has been estimated that over 70% of households in Africa south of the Sahara rely on informal vendors and traders for food access.
However, accurate data on informal cross-border trade (ICBT) is lacking due to multiple factors, including smuggling, non-registering of formal trade, under-reporting, and weak data collection systems. This national policy dialogue looks specifically at ICBT across the Tanzania border, focusing on the importance of ICBT for Tanzania’s economy and its implications on food security; the impact of COVID-19 on ICBT; and needed policy reforms to support informal traders, particularly in times of crisis.
Program:
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Welcome
Speakers: Donald Mmari, ED, REPOA and Teunis van Rheenen, IFPRI -
Presentation 1: The Importance of Informal Trade in Africa for Food Security and the Implications of COVID-19
Speaker: Antoine Bouet, SRF, IFPRI - Q&A
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Presentation 2: ICBT in Tanzania
Speaker: Lucas Katera, REPOA - Q&A
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Reflections
Speaker: Samuel Wangwe, Board Chairman, Eastern Africa Grain Council - Q&A with all program speakers
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Wrap-up and closing
Speakers: Donald Mmari, ED, REPOA and Teunis van Rheenen, IFPRI