The Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) has launched the Digital Marine Cargo Insurance (DMCI) Platform ahead of the mandatory requirement for locally issued marine cargo insurance, which takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Developed in partnership with APA General Insurance Company, Britam General Insurance, CIC General Insurance, Old Mutual General Insurance, Pacis Insurance and Dynamique, the platform is designed to help importers comply with the new regulation requiring all imported cargo to be covered by marine insurance policies issued locally. It also aims to streamline marine cargo insurance processing.
The platform is integrated with eCitizen and supported by the KRA Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS), M-Pesa, banking institutions and Pesaflow, creating a fully digital system for issuing and verifying marine cargo insurance certificates.
According to stakeholders, the system is expected to reduce paperwork, speed up cargo clearance and improve transparency across the import supply chain.
Its key features include instant issuance of insurance certificates, real-time premium payments and automated verification linked to customs clearance systems.
KIFWA said the platform was developed to simplify compliance while enhancing efficiency and service delivery across the freight forwarding industry.
To support the rollout, the association has conducted nationwide sensitisation and training sessions in Nairobi, Mombasa, Malaba, Busia, Namanga and Isebania.
The training programme will continue over the next 12 months to equip members with the skills needed to use the platform, including processing premium payments, issuing certificates, reporting claims and integrating with customs procedures.
Industry stakeholders said the platform represents a major step towards digitising Kenya's trade compliance systems, particularly within the logistics and insurance sectors.
“By consolidating multiple payment and verification channels into a single interface, the system is expected to reduce delays at ports of entry and enhance coordination between insurers, clearing agents and regulators,” said KIFWA National Chairman Fredrick Aloo.
“It also aligns with broader government efforts to digitise trade facilitation services and improve ease of doing business in the country.”
As enforcement of the new requirement begins, stakeholders are expected to progressively transition all documentation and premium payments to the digital platform.
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