The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), through its Customs & Border Control Department, has entered into a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Republic of India to enhance cooperation in the exchange of Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) on goods traded between the two countries.

The agreement, signed on behalf of KRA by the Acting Commissioner General Dr. Lilian Nyawanda and on behalf of India by H.E. Mr. Yogendra Garg, Member (Customs), CBIC, marks a significant milestone in Kenya–India trade relations and reinforces both countries’ commitment to modern, technology-driven customs administration. For KRA, this development represents a transformative step towards smarter, data-enabled customs operations, allowing for expedited clearance of compliant consignments while strengthening the detection and prevention of illicit trade.

The MoU comes against a backdrop of strong bilateral trade flows between Kenya and India, spanning pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and agricultural goods. Kenya’s exports to India are largely raw materials and agricultural commodities with limited processing, while imports from India are mainly manufactured, industrial, and pharmaceutical goods with higher value addition. This imbalance highlights the need for efficient customs systems that can handle large trade volumes while maintaining security, predictability, and revenue collection.

From 2024 to 2026 to date, Kenya has exported about 404,613 tonnes of goods to India worth KES 36.6 billion, while imports from India reached 4.72 million tonnes valued at KES 658 billion. In 2024, exports stood at 195,355 tonnes valued at KES 18.9 billion, easing to 167,061 tonnes worth KES 13.7 billion in 2025, with 42,197 tonnes valued at KES 4.0 billion recorded so far in 2026. Imports have continued to rise, from 1.79 million tonnes worth KES 263 billion in 2024 to 2.15 million tonnes valued at KES 293 billion in 2025, with 778,526 tonnes worth KES 102 billion already recorded this year.

The MoU is expected to enable faster clearance, strengthen risk management, and enhance the security of cross-border supply chains through real-time electronic exchange of pre-arrival information. Further with this partnership, Kenya and India will streamline customs procedures by leveraging advance cargo information to reduce cargo dwell time at ports of entry and improve the predictability of trade.

Beyond its bilateral impact, the agreement holds strategic significance for the wider East African region. As a key trade gateway to East and Central Africa, Kenya stands to enhance the efficiency and reliability of regional supply chains, particularly through the Port of Mombasa and its network of inland container depots that serve neighbouring countries. The collaboration also aligns with broader regional and continental integration efforts under arrangements such as the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which emphasize trade facilitation, efficiency, and the reduction of non-tariff barriers to intra-African trade.

India remains one of Kenya’s key trading partners and this MoU is expected to further deepen bilateral economic ties by fostering a more efficient, transparent, and secure trading environment, ultimately contributing to economic growth and regional competitiveness.

COMMISSIONER CUSTOMS & BORDER CONTROL