Opinion - Why Efficiency at KenTrade Will Give Kenya a Competitive Edge

Kenya, 14 January 2026 - The meeting between Chief of Staff Felix Koskei and the newly appointed Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) Board marks a pivotal moment in how the government intends to manage one of the most strategic pillars of Kenya’s economic infrastructure: trade facilitation.

Although framed as a courtesy call, the engagement carried the unmistakable tone of a performance briefing, with Koskei setting clear expectations that KenTrade must now operate as a results-driven engine for economic growth rather than a routine government agency.

At the centre of the discussion was the National Electronic Single Window System, a digital platform that connects more than 40 government agencies involved in trade approvals, licensing and regulatory clearances.

In a country where exporters and importers have long struggled with paperwork, delays and overlapping controls, this system has become a make-or-break tool for Kenya’s competitiveness.

Koskei’s emphasis on the platform reflects a broader shift in government thinking: that digital trade infrastructure is just as critical as ports, highways and railway lines.

In demanding efficiency and alignment with national priorities, the Chief of Staff effectively placed KenTrade at the heart of Kenya’s economic strategy.

Faster approvals, predictable processes and seamless inter-agency coordination translate directly into lower costs for businesses, shorter turnaround times at ports and borders, and greater confidence for investors.

In an era of intense regional competition, where countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are racing to simplify trade procedures, any lag in Kenya’s digital trade systems risks eroding the country’s traditional dominance as East Africa’s commercial gateway.

Koskei’s message on accountability and zero tolerance for corruption added another layer of urgency. Trade facilitation agencies sit at one of the most sensitive junctions of the economy, where private sector money, government power and regulatory discretion meet.

Any weakness in governance can quickly turn digital platforms into new avenues for rent-seeking, defeating their very purpose.

By drawing a hard line on transparency and integrity, Koskei signalled that KenTrade will be under close political and institutional scrutiny, with little room for excuses if systems fail or are abused.