Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna, led a high-level delegation to Nairobi, Kenya, where he represented H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a series of engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and harmonising trade and industrial policies between the two neighbouring countries.
The discussions brought together Ugandan and Kenyan government officials, including Kenya’s counterparts responsible for trade and industry, and culminated in high-level engagements involving *H.E. President William Ruto.
The meetings focused on addressing trade and industry matters affecting the movement, production and marketing of several products between Uganda and Kenya. The two countries explored ways of harmonising policies, regulations and standards to reduce barriers to trade, promote industrial growth and create a more predictable business environment for manufacturers and traders.
Hon. Tanna’s participation reflects the importance Uganda attaches to strengthening economic relations with Kenya, one of its key regional trading partners. His ministry has identified export promotion, industrialisation and the expansion of markets for Ugandan products among its major priorities.
The engagement in Nairobi is also in line with the broader East African Community agenda of promoting regional integration, the free movement of goods and the removal of non-tariff barriers that continue to affect businesses across borders.
By bringing together senior government officials and political leaders from both countries, the meetings provided an opportunity to address outstanding concerns and identify practical solutions for the benefit of producers, manufacturers, traders and consumers.
The Ugandan delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Kenya to resolve trade-related challenges and promote mutually beneficial industrial development. Such cooperation is expected to support increased intra-regional trade, encourage investment and strengthen value addition across key sectors.
Hon. Tanna has consistently emphasised the importance of industrialisation, export growth and closer engagement with both the private sector and regional partners.
As Uganda and Kenya continue discussions on the various products and trade issues under consideration, stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete resolutions that can unlock opportunities for businesses on both sides of the border and further advance the East African region’s economic integration.
Trade between Uganda and Kenya remains deeply integrated, with both nations acting as each other’s primary trading partners in East Africa, though recent discussions highlight ongoing efforts to resolve non-tariff barriers and regularize small-scale traders.
Uganda’s Exports to Kenya: Tea ($38M), milk ($37.7M), and unglazed ceramics ($32.4M), alongside significant agricultural produce like maize.
Kenya’s Exports to Uganda: Cement ($105M), coated flat-rolled iron ($64M), and refined petroleum ($60.9M).
Uganda recently pressed Kenya to scrap non-tariff barriers, lower transport costs, and eliminate indiscriminate levies contrary to the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
