This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
Kenya and Tanzania have made significant progress in resolving trade barriers between the two countries, with nearly half of the issues addressed in the past few months.
According to a joint dispatch from the Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC), the two countries have identified 64 challenges facing bilateral relations, with 30 of them already resolved.
The remaining 34 issues are expected to be ironed out by the end of December 2021, as agreed upon by Foreign Affairs ministers Raychelle Omamo of Kenya and Tanzania's Liberata Mulamula during a meeting in Nairobi.
The meeting, which ended on August 24, 2021, also saw the establishment of a permanent committee to monitor the implementation of decisions made by the JCC.
Among the resolved issues are customs clearance of soft drinks made in their territories, removal of inspection fees on processed products with a standardisation mark, and elimination of roaming calling fees following Tanzania's entry into the Common Network Area.
The two countries have also agreed to harmonise standardisation with veterinary products, with products becoming valid for export for up to 30 days.
Additionally, Tanzania will install the Single Window System, similar to what Kenya has done, to enable faster clearance of goods.
The JCC has also agreed to meet at least once every year, with the next meeting scheduled to take place in December 2021.
On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, the countries' top diplomats said they would use the next four months to fix the remaining crucial areas, including harmonising health certification, especially in times of Covid-19.
Both countries have improved policies on handling the pandemic, especially after the death of former Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli, who had claimed coronavirus had been eliminated in the country.
Since Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu's visit to Kenya, Nairobi and Dodoma have since established a joint mechanism for dealing with Covid-19, including testing and recognition of lab results and vaccination.
The JCC had only met once in Magufuli's six-year reign, which may explain why issues it was meant to resolve flared.
The two countries also say they would soon commence the second phase of reaffirming their common border and enhance policing.
However, the actual timelines will depend on how soon the two sides can allocate money and experts.
