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Kenya, Tanzania restore tea exports in deal to eliminate trade barriers

Officials from Kenya and Tanzania's trade offices sign a deal on March 23, 2024, following te 8th Bilateral Trade Meeting. (Photo: Ministry of Trade)

By Barack Oduor | 23 Mar 2024

The meeting on the elimination of trade bottlenecks also agreed on the clearance of products stuck at the borders.

Kenya and Tanzania have finally agreed on the resumption of tea exports to Tanzania as part of efforts to erase trade barriers brought on by disagreements.

At the 8th Bilateral Trade Meeting to address outstanding issues presented at the previous gathering in Zanzibar in 2022, top officials from the two countries deliberated on longstanding bottlenecks and how to eliminate them.

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Kenyan Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, Stephen Byabato, co-chaired the meeting that took place from March 18-22 in Kisumu, Kenya.

Miano reported on Friday that deliberations over the last 30 days had seen them achieve three milestones: the resumption of tea exports to Tanzania, and the clearance of the alcoholic beverage, Konyagi, and timber from Tanzania.

Consignments Konyangi and timber were confiscated by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) at the Namanga and Horohoro borders, respectively.

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐘𝐀-𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐙𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

📍Kisumu

🇰🇪🇹🇿 I am pleased to announce significant progress in addressing various trade challenges between Kenya and Tanzania. Out of the original 68 issues, 56 have been successfully resolved, paving way for smoother trade… pic.twitter.com/jMqMY2z6N9
— CS Rebecca Miano, EGH (@rebecca_miano) March 22, 2024

In her briefing, the CS noted that the meeting made significant progress in addressing various trade challenges between Kenya and Tanzania.

"Out of the original 68 issues, 56 have been successfully resolved, paving the way for smoother trade between our nations," she said. "A number of issues will be dealt with administratively."

Miano further said the discussions addressed 14 key issues—six from Tanzania and eight from Kenya—and provided direction on their resolution.

"The objective of our meeting was to address issues that hinder trade between the two countries. We have also agreed on the comprehensive harmonisation of levies, fees, charges and other trade-related conditions. Additionally, we have established robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure the fulfilment of our commitments," she said.

She assured commitment to strengthening Kenya and Tanzania's trade relations to foster economic growth and regional stability.

During a recent state visit to Tanzania, President William Ruto assured his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, of strong trade, investment and economic cooperation, and directed the trade ministers to address all pending issues.

The Kenyan delegation to the 8th Bilateral Trade Meeting included principal secretaries Alfred K'Ombudo (Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry), and Abdi Dubat (Ministry of East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development), and High Commissioner Isaac Njenga.

The Tanzanian officials included permanent secretaries Hashil Abdallah (Ministry of Industry and Trade), and Stephen Mbundi, (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation), as well as High Commissioner Bernard Kibese.

The next meeting will take place in Tanzania in July 2024.