(KenTrade) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) (World
Bank Group) today rolled out Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity to enable faster clearance
of goods at the One Stop Border Posts of Malaba, Busia, Taveta, Namanga and Isebania.

The service, which has also been extended to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
(cargo section) and the Port of Mombasa, is currently being utilized by Government
Agencies at these border points. Implementation of the service was done with the
support from the World Bank Group’s Kenya Investment Climate Program 2.

Speaking when he officiated the official launch, the Principal Secretary State Department
of Trade, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, said that the Government is at the forefront of
implementing initiatives that aim at reducing the cost of doing business and enhance
trade facilitation. “Using ICT as an enabler, the business community and citizens have
been accorded seamless services in addition to giving them the opportunity to access
Government services anytime at their convenience.”

He added that the electronic Single Window System (Kenya TradeNet System), which allows traders to lodge trade documentation for approvals by regulatory government agencies through the single electronic platform is one of the projects implemented by the Government that has contributed to savings in time and cost for traders.

The Chief Executive Officer of KenTrade, Amos Wangora, noted that the Agency has
been working with stakeholders to develop trade facilitation projects aimed at
improving service delivery to enhance the nation’s competitiveness, adding that
successful implementation of all the 21 modules in the Kenya TradeNet System had
enabled better coordination among government agencies involved in clearance of cargo
along the Kenyan borders.

“Today, we have progressively implemented all the 21 modules as envisaged, and we
currently have over 10,500 users making various transactions through the System. We
have 35 Government Agencies on board the TradeNet System and we are processing
close to 600,000 transactions annually”.

The System has also been integrated with banking institutions and two mobile payment solutions through the Kenya Revenue (KRA) iTax system, which has made it possible for the traders to submit documents and make payments to the Government electronically.

He added that through support from the World Bank Group’s Kenya Investment Climate Program 2, KenTrade has also facilitated some of the Government Agencies at the Borders with 35 laptops to be used for trade facilitation.

Ms. Sarah Ochieng, Program Lead, Kenya Competitiveness Enhancement Program
(KCEP), World Bank Group, said that the use of the Internet can make the process of
initiating and doing trade a lot easier, faster, and less expensive.

“As the Government of Kenya continues with the effort to improve trade, the application of information, communication, and technology (ICT) will be paramount in streamlining trade-related procedures such as availability of Internet connections at border-crossings and customs automation to realize fully-fledged electronic single window facilities,” she said.

The event was also attended by KenTrade Chairman Suleiman Shabhal who said that
implementation of Internet Connectivity and WiFi Connectivity was in line with
Agency’s Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 and mission of facilitating trade by simplifying and
harmonizing business processes through the effective and efficient management of the
TradeNet System and provision of related services for Kenya’s global competitiveness.

He added that that modern ICT technologies are a big part of our everyday lives and we
can no longer afford to separate them from our daily activities whether social or
business.