By Correspondents Eva Ngowi and Chedaiwe Msuya
Tanzania and Kenya have renewed their commitment to dismantling more than 50 non-tariff barriers that have constrained bilateral trade, as the two neighbouring economies seek to reduce business costs, accelerate cross-border transactions and deepen regional economic integration.
The renewed push comes as both countries work to implement agreements reached by Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and William Ruto aimed at easing the movement of goods, services and capital between East Africa’s two major economies.
Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, said the two governments had continued negotiations and taken steps to address more than 50 non-tariff barriers identified during 2026.
Speaking during a meeting with Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Catherine Kirumba Karemu, in Dar es Salaam on October 7, Mwamba said removing the obstacles remained a priority for both governments.
The Ministry of Finance, working with the ministry responsible for trade, is implementing commitments made by the two presidents to improve trade facilitation and strengthen economic cooperation.
For businesses operating across the Tanzania–Kenya border, the removal of non-tariff barriers could translate into lower transaction costs, faster clearance of goods and greater predictability in regional supply chains.
Such barriers can include administrative restrictions, inconsistent regulatory requirements, delays at border crossings and other procedures that increase the cost of doing business.
Trade negotiations gather momentum
Mwamba said the 10th Tanzania–Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting, held in Mombasa from April 13 to 17, 2026, provided an important platform for identifying and agreeing on measures to address trade obstacles.
The discussions formed part of broader efforts to improve the movement of goods and services between the two countries.
The renewed commitment also follows bilateral talks between Presidents Hassan and Ruto in May 2026, during which the two leaders witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding covering several areas of economic cooperation.
These included railway development, maritime transport through the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, agriculture and energy, including a proposed natural gas pipeline.
The agreements highlight the increasingly interconnected nature of the two economies, where transport infrastructure, energy supplies and trade policies have implications for businesses on both sides of the border.
Regional integration under pressure
The push to eliminate trade restrictions is also part of a wider East African Community agenda.
During the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in March 2026, regional leaders directed member countries to address and eliminate outstanding non-tariff barriers by June 30, 2026.
However, the continued discussions between Tanzania and Kenya indicate that some obstacles remain unresolved despite the regional deadline.
Mwamba said the issue would feature prominently during the next Tanzania–Kenya Joint Permanent Commission meeting, scheduled for November 12–14, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.
The meeting is expected to provide another opportunity to review outstanding challenges and agree on practical solutions.
“This is an area in which I propose that we continue working closely together during your tenure in Tanzania,” Mwamba told the Kenyan envoy.
She assured Karemu that Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance would continue working with relevant Kenyan institutions to address challenges affecting bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Focus on payments and tax systems
For her part, Karemu said the two countries had made progress in strengthening financial and trade cooperation, particularly in facilitating cross-border payments, harmonising tax systems and improving services at one-stop border posts.
She commended the cooperation between the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), saying it was contributing to smoother trade between the neighbouring countries.
However, she stressed that improvements in border administration should be accompanied by the elimination of non-tariff barriers, better alignment of trade statistics and increased private-sector investment.
For companies trading across the border, more efficient payment systems and coordinated tax administration could reduce delays, improve cash flow and simplify compliance requirements.
Karemu also reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, regional cooperation and diaspora engagement during her diplomatic assignment in Tanzania.
What businesses stand to gain
Tanzania and Kenya are important trading partners within the East African Community, with businesses in both countries participating in regional supply chains involving agriculture, manufacturing, transport, logistics and services.
Persistent non-tariff barriers can undermine these commercial relationships by increasing operating costs and creating uncertainty for traders and investors.
Removing them could particularly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, which often have fewer resources to navigate complicated administrative procedures or absorb delays at border crossings.
Improved trade facilitation could also strengthen the competitiveness of regional transport corridors and support greater utilisation of infrastructure investments.
For Tanzania, the potential benefits extend to manufacturers seeking access to Kenya’s market, transport operators serving regional routes and businesses participating in cross-border value chains.
Nevertheless, the economic impact will depend on whether commitments made at bilateral meetings translate into measurable improvements at border posts and within regulatory institutions. With another high-level meeting scheduled for November, attention will increasingly turn to the implementation of agreed reforms and whether businesses begin experiencing faster, cheaper and more predictable trade.
