Uganda and Kenya have initiated high-level bilateral talks aimed at harmonizing trade and industrial policies, removing persistent non-tariff barriers, and strengthening regional economic integration.
A Ugandan delegation led by Trade Minister Hon. Sanjay Tanna held talks in Nairobi with Kenya’s President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The engagements brought together trade and industrial officials from both nations to create a predictable environment for manufacturers, investors, and agricultural exporters across East Africa.
The joint ministerial sessions focused on establishing shared regulatory standards, aligning product certifications, and resolving cross-border bottlenecks affecting supply chains along the Northern Corridor. Hon. Tanna, who assumed the trade portfolio in June 2026, held technical and policy discussions with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui.
The delegation also met with President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, where the Kenyan leader emphasized that East African Community (EAC) member states must eliminate non-tariff barriers that impede intra-regional commerce, harm farm-gate prices, and raise consumer costs.
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s position that regional economic partners should prioritize domestic processing and value addition over importing finished consumer goods from outside Africa. The Kenyan side reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining open diplomatic and economic channels to resolve trade friction before it escalates into full trade disputes.
The two nations agreed to hold a follow-up bilateral trade review meeting in Uganda during the first week of October 2026 to track progress on policy harmonization. The Nairobi talks align with Uganda’s ongoing industrialization strategy, including the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) framework, and Kenya’s policy focus on industrial expansion and local content regulation.
The bilateral engagement represents a significant step toward deepening trade integration between the two East African neighbours, who share a long and vital trading relationship. By addressing non-tariff barriers and harmonizing policies, Uganda and Kenya aim to unlock new opportunities for businesses, reduce the cost of cross-border trade, and strengthen the region’s overall economic competitiveness.
The outcome of the October follow-up meeting will be closely watched by stakeholders across the region as a test of both nations’ commitment to removing the persistent obstacles that have long hindered intra-EAC trade.
