Kenya and Uganda have vowed to speed up new cross-border deals — from extending the standard gauge railway to Malaba to scrapping duties on key goods — in a push to boost trade, ease border delays, and deepen regional integration.
The commitment was reaffirmed in Nairobi during a three-day mid-term review of the Second Joint Ministerial Commission, co-chaired by Kenya’s foreign affairs principal secretary, Korir Singoei, and his Ugandan counterpart, Vincent Bagiire.
The talks followed last month’s signing by Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni of eight memoranda of understanding covering transport, trade, mining, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and quality standards. The deals also included the Greater Busia Metro Project and closer collaboration between national standards bodies to harmonise regulations and ease commerce.
The agreements set out plans to extend Kenya’s standard gauge railway to the border town of Malaba, scrap duties and quotas on goods including poultry, dairy, sugar, juices, pishori rice and furniture, and eliminate tariffs and other non-tariff barriers that slow cross-border trade.
Both sides also committed to closer coordination on peace and security, joint border controls, immigration, cultural exchanges and customs integration. Work is under way to finalise bilateral frameworks on immigration, labour, counter-narcotics, curbing illicit arms, and police cooperation.
Dr Singoei described the meeting as an opportunity to “inject fresh impetus” into the presidential directives, saying they reflected the aspirations of millions in both countries and aligned with Africa’s continental integration goals. Mr Bagiire praised technical teams for progress towards “socio-economic transformation and mutual prosperity.”
A joint communique commended both nations for their role in advancing regional stability despite security challenges, and pledged support for strengthening the East African Community’s customs union, common market and planned currency.
Trade ministers will meet in Uganda later this month to address unresolved non-tariff barriers ahead of an October Joint Trade Committee session.
