Kenya’s trade with South Sudan is set for a major transformation following the launch of three Trade Facilitation Centres in Kainuk, Lodwar, and Kakuma.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has established these strategic hubs to enhance efficiency along the Northern Corridor, a vital trade route linking Kenya to South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.
The initiative, which falls under the broader LAPSSET Corridor Program, aims to ease congestion at the Malaba and Busia border posts, reduce transit time for cargo moving from Mombasa to South Sudan and solidify Kenya’s position as a regional trade hub.
Additionally, it will unlock economic opportunities in Turkana County, a region historically marginalized in national trade infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga described the initiative as a game-changer for East African trade.
He noted that the facilities will improve the movement of goods across the region while strengthening KRA’s presence along the South Sudan link road.
By bringing services closer to traders, the centres will not only facilitate business but also enhance border security and trade compliance.
Beyond trade facilitation, the centres will serve as enforcement hubs, hosting KRA’s Rapid Response Unit and Enforcement teams.
Their presence is expected to curb long-standing issues such as cargo theft, smuggling, and tax evasion, which have negatively impacted Kenya’s trade ecosystem.
KRA’s Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, emphasized that the centres will bridge logistical gaps and create a more conducive business environment.
She noted that the facilities will streamline the flow of cargo into South Sudan while offering trade-related services to local communities.
By positioning them in Turkana, KRA is leveraging its strategic location as a gateway to South Sudan, ensuring that trade is conducted legitimately while preventing illicit activities.
For years, traders along the Northern Corridor have struggled with bureaucratic inefficiencies and high costs associated with accessing customs services.
The new centres address these challenges by reducing the distance traders must travel to obtain trade documentation, cutting costs for both businesses and KRA.
Additionally, the facilities will help combat the smuggling of counterfeit goods and tax evasion through porous borders.
Previously, enforcement teams had to be dispatched from Eldoret to conduct inspections along the corridor. With these centres now operational, monitoring and compliance enforcement will be more immediate and cost-effective.
The Trade Facilitation Centres are part of the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade, and Development Facilitation Project (EARTTDFP), funded by the World Bank.
As Kenya continues to position itself as a leading trade hub in the region, KRA plans to establish additional border posts along key trade routes to enhance revenue collection, improve security and promote regional economic integration.
By investing in such infrastructure, Kenya is securing its trade corridors and strengthening economic ties with its neighbors, ensuring that trade remains a key driver of economic growth and regional stability.
