NAIROBI, KENYA — Uganda and Kenya have stepped up efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation following a high-level visit to Nairobi by Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna.
Tanna led a Ugandan delegation to Nairobi, where he represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a series of engagements with senior Kenyan officials aimed at addressing trade challenges and improving economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The visit, which began last Thursday, focused on harmonising trade and industrial policies, particularly in sectors and products of mutual economic importance.
The discussions sought to address challenges affecting cross-border trade, promote value addition and create a more predictable business environment for traders, manufacturers and investors.
Since taking office in June 2026, Tanna has identified export promotion, industrialisation and improved market access among his key priorities.
Addressing Trade and Industrial Challenges
During the Nairobi engagements, the Ugandan delegation held discussions with Kenya’s leadership responsible for trade and industry, led by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui.
The talks focused on finding practical solutions to challenges affecting the free movement and marketing of products between Uganda and Kenya.
The two sides explored ways of harmonising policies, regulations and standards in areas where differences have created obstacles to trade.
Such cooperation is considered important given the close economic links between Uganda and Kenya through regional supply chains, transport corridors and the wider East African Community market.
The discussions also explored opportunities for increased industrial cooperation, with an emphasis on value addition and reducing unnecessary barriers faced by producers and traders.
Ruto Calls for Removal of Trade Barriers
The Ugandan delegation also held discussions with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, who emphasised the need for East African countries to remove barriers that undermine regional trade and economic integration.
In previous Uganda-Kenya bilateral engagements, Ruto has raised concerns over persistent non-tariff barriers and called for practical and time-bound solutions because of their impact on farmers, traders and businesses.
He has also advocated for deeper regional industrial cooperation and increased production within East Africa.
The Nairobi meeting provided an opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm the importance of dialogue and cooperation in resolving outstanding trade concerns.
Ruto’s broader position has been that Uganda and Kenya should work together to ensure that regional integration delivers tangible benefits to their citizens through expanded markets, stronger industries and increased opportunities for trade and investment.
His administration has also promoted greater value addition and industrial development in the region, arguing that East African countries can benefit more by processing their resources and developing competitive industries instead of relying heavily on imports.
Follow-Up Talks Planned
Tanna’s Nairobi mission reflects the commitment of Uganda and Kenya to strengthen their longstanding economic relationship and resolve trade challenges through dialogue.
By addressing disagreements over products, standards and market access, the two governments hope to prevent individual trade disputes from undermining the broader objectives of regional integration.
The two countries are expected to continue discussions through their respective ministries and technical teams to follow up on the issues raised during the Nairobi engagements.
A follow-up engagement is scheduled to take place in Uganda in the first week of October, where the two sides will further discuss bilateral trade matters.
The talks come as Uganda pursues an ambitious agenda of industrialisation, export growth and increased value addition, while Kenya continues efforts to expand its industrial base and strengthen its position as a regional economic hub.
Ultimately, the Nairobi engagements underscore the shared recognition that cooperation is essential to the economic prosperity of both countries.
Harmonising policies and resolving outstanding trade barriers could create greater opportunities for Ugandan and Kenyan producers, manufacturers and traders while contributing to the broader goal of a stronger and more integrated East African economy.
