BUSIA, KENYA – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), in a significant move to modernize trade and reduce logistical bottlenecks, on Monday, 24 November 2025, launched its eCUSTOMS mobile application at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP). Developed in collaboration with the British High Commission (BHC) and TradeMark Africa (TMA), the digital platform is engineered to simplify customs procedures, making them faster, paperless, and more transparent for traders, transporters, and passengers crossing the vital Kenya-Uganda trade corridor.

The application's launch is a critical development for Kenya's economy and its role as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC). Officials project the app will deliver substantial savings in both time and money. Small-scale traders are expected to save an estimated KSh 750 per customs declaration, a significant cost reduction for entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, who may cross the border multiple times a day. For transport operators, the system is anticipated to cut cumulative truck waiting times by up to 1,200 hours daily at the Busia OSBP alone, which translates to an average saving of one hour per truck.

Streamlining a Vital Trade Artery

The Busia border is a linchpin for regional commerce, with an average of 500 trucks passing through daily. However, it has historically been plagued by long queues and complex, paper-based clearance processes that create costly delays. The eCUSTOMS app directly confronts these challenges by enabling users to manage their customs declarations digitally. Available on both Android and iOS, the platform allows small-scale traders to self-declare cargo with simplified forms, passengers to pre-declare baggage before arrival, and truck drivers to manage declarations for empty trucks and toll collections seamlessly.

In a statement, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga emphasized the platform's role in creating a more favorable business environment. "eCUSTOMS will ease cross-border trade and promote a conducive business environment by simplifying customs declarations and modernizing border operations," he said on Monday. "By enabling paperless and seamless processes, this platform will provide traders with faster, more accessible, and more transparent services."

A Partnership for Regional Prosperity

The initiative is the latest outcome of a 15-year strategic partnership between the UK, Kenya, and TMA aimed at enhancing regional trade efficiency. This long-term collaboration has already yielded significant results, including a 79% reduction in clearance times at the Busia OSBP following its operationalization in 2018. The new app is also expected to support the broader implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving the efficiency of trade flows between Kenya and its neighbours.

Dr. Ed Barnett MBE, Chargé d'Affaires at the British High Commission in Nairobi, noted the app's direct impact on Kenya's economic backbone. "This long-term partnership has delivered a solution directly into the hands of small businesses – the hustling backbone of Kenya's economy," he stated. The platform also includes features specifically designed to accelerate the growth of SMEs, such as a fast-track declaration process for goods valued at USD 2,000 or less.

The app's functionalities are designed for a wide range of users:

• Small-Scale Traders: Can self-declare cargo using simplified digital forms, which improves accuracy and compliance.
• Passengers: Are able to pre-declare customs and accompanied baggage before arrival, speeding up clearance.
• Transport Operators: Benefit from smoother truck rotation and digital management of toll collections and declarations for empty trucks.

As the system is rolled out at all border-crossing points, it promises to create a unified and efficient digital trade environment across East Africa, reinforcing Kenya's position as a leader in modern and secure border management.