Hub and Spokes Programme- Consolidation Phase & Post H&S Support to PIFS and AUC The Hub and Spokes II Programme has been in operation since July 2012 and came to an end in May 2017, as per grant agreement FED/2013/324-350 signed in November 2013 with two extensions to 27 May 2017.

The Hub and Spokes II programme continued to draw acknowledgement from beneficiaries throughout the ACP regions for its attempts and success in providing a high level of support and technical assistance on trade and development issues to many of developing and least developing countries throughout the ACP regions. These sentiments were further amplified during the regional workshops held in Kingston (Jamaica), Nadi (Fiji), Lusaka (Zambia) and Dakar (Senegal) during the first half of 2016 under the current Hub and Spokes II Programme. All beneficiaries agreed that the programme, through its Advisers, plays a pivotal role in advising on existing and emerging issues affecting trade and trade relationships, changes in global trends, and in assisting ACP member states position themselves to take advantage of the trade opportunities at the multilateral and global levels. The unwavering support by Advisers, especially in the trading environment where there has been a multiplicity of negotiations on international and regional trade agreements or partnerships, has been valued by all beneficiaries.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) submitted a request (ref. letter dated June 2016 from the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the OIF) to extend the Hub & Spokes II programme till 2020, in line with the request made during the 2nd Steering Committee meeting held in Mauritius in January 2013 and reiterated by the Regional Economic Communities during the 3rd Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meeting held in Brussels in November 2015. Following subsequent discussions, including during the 4th Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meeting held in Dakar, Senegal on 29 June 2016, the Programme Management Teams (PMTs) of the OIF and the Commonwealth Secretariat submitted a request for an extension of the programme in the form of a transition period which will ensure a soft exit from the current programme. Even though the ACP Secretariat confirmed extension of the programme in letter dated 3 October 2016, it was further agreed by the programme partners for a separate project be developed to focus on the exit of the Hub and Spokes programme from the ACP regions. 

This action will therefore be in line with the request stated above, the modalities of which is being given effect through the present submission as an application for Grant under the Financing Agreement No. /REG/FED/24728 “TradeCom II – ACP Trade Capacity Building Programme” under the 10th EDF. It is expected for this programme, the Consolidation Phase, to take effect from 28 May 2017 for 21 months to February 2019, which was extended to 31 August 2019, with funding from EU and ComSec.

Following closure of the Hub and Spokes programme, it was agreed for the Commonwealth to continue providing support through technical advisory services to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the African Union Commission (AUC) to 31 December 2020; and for pre design and implementation of the Trade Link program as a successor to the Hub and Spokes programme. This support will continue momentum of the Hub and Spokes legacy as a bridging gap until a possible successor program is in place. This action will implement a smooth exit strategy leading towards ownership and sustainability of the programme. Remaining support to the African and Pacific regions will assist beneficiaries to develop contemporary successor programme/s with the potential to attract donor funding available at the regional and multilateral level. Greater emphasis will also be laid on the implementation of trade policies and trade agreements, and completion of any existing negotiations to the extent possible.

General objective: To contribute to sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in ACP countries through closer regional integration and increased participation in the world economy. 

Note: (The programme will contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all).

Specific objective: To strengthen the capacity of ACP countries to formulate appropriate trade policies, participate effectively in international trade negotiations and implement international trade agreements to their advantage.

Following recent events, the post Hub and Spokes programme has reviewed its projected work for FY 2020/21, and taken into consideration ways in which it can support recovery efforts for countries and regions, post-COVID19, as well continue the existing trade support to the pacific and african regions. The programme is divided into 3 projects - (i) Trade support to Africa region; (ii) Trade Support to Pacific region; and (iii) TradeLink Project (under development).

A key commitment, as endorsed by CHOGM 2018, is boosting intra-commonwealth trade of $2 trillion by 2030. The delivery of this programme supports small states, SIDS, SVEs and LDCs in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions. Its approach to build economic and trade resilience; ensure sustainability of development, through mainstreaming and implementation of trade strategies and policies, and negotiation and implementation of trade agreements. The programme will assist countries/regions to boost their trading ability, explore opportunities and collaborative efforts for continued development, while focusing on achieving projections for intra-Commonwealth trade.