Comesa revs up intra-African trade with e-certificates push

• Kenya joins Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in operationalizing Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO) system, a platform that simplifies the application, issuance, exchange, and verification of certificates.
• E-certificates calibrated to not only digitize trade but also smoothen intra-regional business by eliminating unnecessary costs and persistent delays.
• COMESA Director of Trade and Customs, Dr. Christopher Onyang, lauds the milestone, terming it advancement in the bloc’s push for trade integration.

Across Comesa bloc, a fresh push to spur trade is underway with East Africa’s crown jewel Kenya joining hands with Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in embracing Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO) system, a platform that simplifies the application, issuance, exchange, and verification of certificates.

The initiative is tailored to not only digitize trade but also smoothen intra-regional business by eliminating unnecessary costs and persistent delays that have always slowed the current manual system that is in use the market of 650 million people.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on Thursday launched the Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO) system in Kenya, signaling a new era of intra-African trade in the face of constraints in accessing key destinations such as the U.S.

e-certificates (eCOO) vital in accessing preferential trade benefits across Comesa bloc

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the e-certificates are vital in accessing preferential trade benefits that fall under regional trade agreements such as the 21-member country COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) program.

Speaking at the launch event, COMESA Director of Trade and Customs, Dr. Christopher Onyang, lauded the e-certificate milestone, terming it as a significant advancement in the bloc’s push for trade integration as set out in the COMESA Digital Free Trade Area.

“This launch is a clear demonstration of Kenya’s commitment and leadership in advancing COMESA’s integration agenda,” said Dr. Onyango, adding: “We commend Kenya for embracing this innovation, which fosters efficiency, competitiveness, transparency, and trust in regional trade.”

Read also: Diageo’s East African exit: Economic and competitive implications

Out goes manual certificates

The regional eCOO initiative was first launched in November last year at a forum held in Lusaka, Zambia, with Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia as early adopters. Zimbabwe later joined, and now Kenya becomes the fifth COMESA Member State to officially implement the system.

Dr Onyango expressed optimism that the e-certificate system is expected to smoothen customs procedures in the area, eliminate red tape, and boost business by allowing exporters and customs authorities to process certificates of origin electronically.

“The electronic certificate of origin will replace manual certificates and reduce clearance times at border crossings,” Dr. Onyango said, adding that shipments from COMESA member states qualify for preferential tariff treatment.

According to the KRA, e-certificates era reflects Kenya’s broader resolve to anchor and foster regional digital trade integration, a strategy that syncs with existing plans under the Single Customs Territory framework that is in use in other EAC Partner States.

Automating customs operations

The KRA began automating its customs operations in 2016 with the roll out of the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), which was commissioned in 2018. Kenya’s eCOO module was piloted in 2022 and, after undergoing technical refinements, is now fully operational.

Both COMESA and EAC eCOOs are currently being issued electronically. To support implementation, Rules of Origin officers in key regions including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret have been trained and equipped to manage the system. Exporter onboarding is actively underway, with initial registrations successfully completed in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

KRA says that the introduction of the eCOO system will enhance service delivery and increase the speed and reliability of cargo clearance. The system is also expected to boost Kenya’s competitiveness in both regional and international markets, while supporting the Authority’s broader goal of providing efficient, technology-driven customer services.

At the moment, Comesa member countries are: Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Read also: Tanzania’s AMSONS Group gets Comesa nod to acquire Kenya’s Bamburi Cement