The dream of "frictionless trade" post-Brexit has hit a £110 million wall. The UK government has quietly shelved its flagship "Single Trade Window" project, signaling a return to bureaucratic headaches for exporters worldwide, including Kenya.

The "Single Trade Window" (STW) was promised as the silver bullet for the chaos caused by leaving the EU. It was meant to be a single digital portal where traders could submit all documents once, streamlining the flow of goods. Instead, after spending £110 million (approx. KES 18 billion) on consultants like Deloitte and IBM, the project has been "paused" indefinitely. The Treasury has effectively cut its losses, admitting the technology and implementation were too costly and complex.

A Blow to Kenyan Flowers

For Kenya, this is bad news. The UK is a primary market for Kenyan roses, green beans, and avocados. Exporters have been navigating a labyrinth of new paperwork since Brexit. The STW was supposed to simplify this, reducing the time perishable goods spend at border control. Its cancellation means the current friction—multiple forms, physical checks, and delays—is here to stay.

"To a trader, it's all about time and cost," noted a trade expert. "Without this system, we are stuck in the 20th century while trying to trade in the 21st."

• Cost: £110m wasted on development.
• Contractors: Deloitte and IBM.
• Consequence: Continued border delays and higher administrative costs for importers/exporters.

The decision underscores the harsh reality of post-Brexit Britain: the promises of deregulation are colliding with the hard limits of government competence and budget deficits. For the Kenyan flower farmer, it means the path to a London vase remains paved with paperwork.