(Nairobi) – KenTrade is set to integrate four more government agencies into its National Electronic Single Window System, enhancing automation in trade approvals and improving efficiency in Kenya’s import-export processes.
Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has announced plans to onboard four additional state agencies into the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, a move aimed at further automating trade-related approvals. This expansion will bring the total number of participating agencies to 45, a significant step in enhancing trade facilitation both within Kenya and across the East African region.
KenTrade CEO David Ngarama confirmed that the new agencies to be included in the system are the Kenya Wildlife Service, Scrap Metal Council, the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). He stated that all government agencies will be incorporated into the system within the next year.
The Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, launched 10 years ago, serves as a platform for businesses involved in trade and transport to submit standardized information and documents through a single entry point. This system fulfills the regulatory requirements for imports, exports, and transit for various modes of transportation, including air, rail, road, and maritime. It also enables payment for relevant services.
The system already serves a wide range of stakeholders, including 38 insurance companies, 36 banks, 1,529 clearing agents, 46 shipping agents, and shipping companies, as well as 29 container freight stations and five cargo handling companies. Key government agencies, such as the Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and Port Health, have been using the system to streamline trade processes.
Since its rollout, the Single Window System has dramatically improved trade facilitation. Automation within the system has risen from just 14% in its early years to 94% today. This improvement has contributed to significant gains in revenue, increasing it by more than KSh 3.5 billion. Additionally, the time required to approve cargo clearance documentation has been reduced from an average of 12 days in 2014 to just two days now. This reduction in processing time has saved an estimated KSh 2 billion annually along the supply chain.
“The full automation of payments has been crucial in speeding up approvals and ensuring smoother movement of goods, especially through the Port of Mombasa and other entry points,” said Ngarama.
In addition to the expansion of the Single Window System, KenTrade is working on creating an online trade logistics directory. This directory will list all stakeholders in the trade logistics sector, including their services, product offerings, prices (where applicable), and contact information. This initiative aims to address gaps in the trade logistics sector, improving transparency and efficiency for businesses and traders.
Financial and Operational Highlights
| Metric | Q3 2024 | Q3 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Participating Agencies | 45 | 41 | +4 Agencies |
| Increase in Automation | 94% | 14% | +80% |
| Revenue Increased | KSh 3.5 Billion | N/A | +N/A |
| Cargo Clearance Time | 2 Days | 12 Days | -10 Days |
| Annual Savings | KSh 2 Billion | N/A | +N/A |