NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has officially adopted a regional electronic system designed to modernise cargo clearance and boost trade within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO), launched locally this week, allows exporters to apply for, issue and verify certificates online—phasing out the manual, paper-based process that was often slow and cumbersome.
A Certificate of Origin is a vital document that confirms the country in which goods are produced, grown, or manufactured.
It is required for exporters within the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA) to ensure goods qualify for preferential treatment when crossing regional borders.
The regional roll-out of the e-CO system began in November 2024 with Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia as pilot countries.
Kenya and Zimbabwe are the latest to join, raising the number of participating states to 21, with more expected to sign up.
Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Regina Akoth Ombam—through ICT Director Timothy Were—said the move underscored Kenya’s commitment to regional integration and digital transformation.
“This launch is a signal that Kenya is ready to drive forward digital transformation, regional integration, and continental unity,” she said.
Under the new arrangement, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will oversee exporter registration, issuance, and verification of the electronic certificates, while the COMESA Secretariat will provide technical support.
Authorities say the system will cut processing times, reduce costs for businesses, and make border crossings smoother by improving efficiency, transparency, and security.
The e-CO system also features real-time tracking, digital signatures, and secure data exchange, which are expected to help customs officials curb fraud and improve compliance with trade rules.
The initiative is part of the COMESA Trade Facilitation Programme, which is backed by the European Union through the 11th European Development Fund.
