Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Bangkok, Thailand, 27 March 2025 – The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) are partnering to expand the Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Adviser (TINA) online platform. This collaboration aims to strengthen trade policy analysis, negotiations and implementation, with a strong focus on Africa and Asia-Pacific.
Launched by ESCAP in 2018, TINA is a digital tool that processes vast trade-related data to provide actionable insights. It helps policymakers address key questions such as: Who to negotiate with? What to negotiate? What is the impact of joining a regional trade bloc or signing a trade agreement? How would unilateral tariff changes affect trade? Is there evidence of trade misinvoicing and illicit financial flows?
With ECA’s involvement, TINA is being enhanced to better support African policy makers and policy analysts in navigating complex trade challenges. As outlined in the Economic Report on Africa 2025 (Economic Report on Africa 2025 | United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), AfCFTA has the potential to boost intra-African trade, develop regional value chains, and strengthen Africa’s engagement with global markets. However, maximizing these benefits requires informed policy decisions, institutional reforms, and strategic trade negotiations.
"The expansion of TINA comes at a pivotal moment as Africa advances AfCFTA implementation," said Stephen Karingi, Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division at ECA. "With data-driven insights, TINA empowers policymakers to negotiate agreements that drive industrialization, create jobs, and foster inclusive growth, as emphasized in the Economic Report on Africa 2025."
Now available in both English and French, TINA offers an integrated analysis of trade in goods, services, and non-tariff measures (NTMs). Users can assess trade flows, tariffs, NTMs, and the potential impact of trade agreements on market access.
"TINA has already helped Asia-Pacific economies navigate complex trade negotiations. Expanding its reach to Africa strengthens interregional cooperation and ensures policymakers in both regions can leverage high-quality trade intelligence to advance sustainable and equitable trade," said Rupa Chanda, Director of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division at ESCAP.
ECA and ESCAP’s collaboration underscores their commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive trade integration and sustainable development. Available to all ECA and ESCAP member States and beyond, TINA is poised to become an indispensable tool for shaping the future of global trade.
Explore TINA here: TINA: Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Adviser