MALABA, Kenya – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched a service centre at the Malaba One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) as part of a broader strategy to streamline trade operations and bolster revenue collection at the critical border crossing.
In a statement released Friday, KRA emphasized that the new service centre is intended to facilitate seamless collaboration among various government agencies operating at the border.
The integration is expected to expedite the clearance process for traders and reduce the time it takes to process goods, which has been a long-standing concern for businesses moving cargo across the East African region.
The Malaba OSBP is a key gateway for goods heading to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
KRA highlighted that the border post currently processes an average of 2,000 trucks daily, handling both inbound and outbound cargo.
With the new service centre in place, the number of cleared trucks is expected to rise, contributing to improved trade efficiency in the region.
In addition to enhancing trade, the new centre is designed to combat cross-border crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking, ensuring safer and more regulated border operations.
“The Malaba OSBP plays a vital role in strengthening border security and promoting economic cooperation among East African Community Partner States,” KRA stated.
The implementation of the service centre has already shown results. According to a recent survey by the East African Community Secretariat and TradeMark Africa, the time taken to clear goods at the Malaba border has decreased by 76%, significantly surpassing the 30% reduction target set by TradeMark Africa.
Previously, clearing goods could take up to two hours, but with the new system in place, the average clearance time has been slashed to just five minutes.
KRA further noted that revenue collected at the Malaba border has surged by 500% over the past decade, from Ksh.962 million in the 2012/2013 financial year to Ksh.5.28 billion in 2023/2024.
This substantial growth reflects the impact of improved systems and the increased volume of trade through the border post.
“Through this initiative, KRA seeks to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment by eliminating unnecessary delays and ensuring faster clearance times,” the statement read.
The agency is committed to implementing targeted programs that will enhance trade facilitation and support the regional economic agenda.
The Malaba OSBP’s strategic importance to the East African economy is underscored by its role in fostering regional integration and economic cooperation, which are key objectives for the East African Community (EAC).
In a statement released Friday, KRA emphasized that the new service centre is intended to facilitate seamless collaboration among various government agencies operating at the border.
The integration is expected to expedite the clearance process for traders and reduce the time it takes to process goods, which has been a long-standing concern for businesses moving cargo across the East African region.
The Malaba OSBP is a key gateway for goods heading to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
KRA highlighted that the border post currently processes an average of 2,000 trucks daily, handling both inbound and outbound cargo.
With the new service centre in place, the number of cleared trucks is expected to rise, contributing to improved trade efficiency in the region.
In addition to enhancing trade, the new centre is designed to combat cross-border crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking, ensuring safer and more regulated border operations.
“The Malaba OSBP plays a vital role in strengthening border security and promoting economic cooperation among East African Community Partner States,” KRA stated.
The implementation of the service centre has already shown results. According to a recent survey by the East African Community Secretariat and TradeMark Africa, the time taken to clear goods at the Malaba border has decreased by 76%, significantly surpassing the 30% reduction target set by TradeMark Africa.
Previously, clearing goods could take up to two hours, but with the new system in place, the average clearance time has been slashed to just five minutes.
KRA further noted that revenue collected at the Malaba border has surged by 500% over the past decade, from Ksh.962 million in the 2012/2013 financial year to Ksh.5.28 billion in 2023/2024.
This substantial growth reflects the impact of improved systems and the increased volume of trade through the border post.
“Through this initiative, KRA seeks to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment by eliminating unnecessary delays and ensuring faster clearance times,” the statement read.
The agency is committed to implementing targeted programs that will enhance trade facilitation and support the regional economic agenda.
The Malaba OSBP’s strategic importance to the East African economy is underscored by its role in fostering regional integration and economic cooperation, which are key objectives for the East African Community (EAC).
