Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, has led a high-level Ugandan delegation to Nairobi to strengthen trade and industrial cooperation between Uganda and Kenya.
Tanna represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a series of high-level engagements with Kenyan officials aimed at addressing trade challenges, harmonising policies and regulations, and expanding opportunities for businesses, manufacturers and investors in both countries.
The meetings brought together senior government officials from Uganda and Kenya to discuss products and sectors of mutual economic importance, with particular attention to challenges affecting cross-border trade, market access and value addition.
The engagements also sought to create a more predictable trading environment by addressing differences in policies, standards and regulations that can create barriers to the movement of goods between the two countries.
Since assuming office in June 2026, Tanna has identified export promotion, industrialisation and improved market access as key priorities for Uganda’s trade and economic development agenda.
Addressing Trade and Industrial Challenges
During the Nairobi visit, Tanna and the Ugandan delegation held discussions with Kenya’s leadership responsible for trade and industry, led by Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui.
The discussions focused on finding practical solutions to challenges affecting the movement, marketing and competitiveness of products traded between Uganda and Kenya.
The two sides explored ways of harmonising policies, regulations and standards in areas where differences may hinder trade. Such cooperation is considered critical given the strong economic links between the two countries through regional supply chains, transport corridors and the East African Community (EAC) market.
The talks also examined opportunities for deeper industrial cooperation, particularly in promoting value addition, supporting local manufacturers and reducing unnecessary barriers facing producers and traders.
Ruto Calls for Removal of Trade Barriers
The Ugandan delegation also held discussions with Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto, who emphasised the need for East African countries to remove barriers that undermine regional trade and economic integration.
President Ruto has previously raised concerns over persistent non-tariff barriers affecting trade within the region and called for practical and time-bound solutions to challenges that directly affect farmers, traders and businesses.
He has also advocated for stronger regional industrial cooperation and increased production within East Africa, arguing that countries in the region can derive greater economic benefits by processing their raw materials and developing competitive industries instead of relying heavily on imported finished products.
The Nairobi engagements provided an opportunity for Uganda and Kenya to reaffirm their commitment to dialogue and cooperation in resolving outstanding trade concerns.
Both countries recognise that addressing trade barriers can help expand markets, strengthen industries and create new opportunities for businesses and investors.
Follow-Up Talks Planned for Uganda
The two governments are expected to continue discussions through their respective ministries and technical teams to follow up on the issues raised during the Nairobi engagements.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in Uganda in the first week of October to further discuss bilateral trade issues and assess progress in addressing the outstanding concerns.
The planned engagement comes as Uganda pushes to accelerate industrialisation, increase exports and promote value addition, while Kenya continues efforts to expand its industrial base and strengthen its position as a regional economic hub.
Strengthening Regional Integration
Tanna’s Nairobi mission highlights the importance of Uganda-Kenya economic relations to the broader EAC integration agenda.
By resolving trade and industrial challenges through direct dialogue, the two countries seek to ensure that disagreements over products, standards, regulations or market access do not undermine regional trade and investment.
Stronger cooperation could provide greater opportunities for farmers, manufacturers, exporters and traders in both countries while improving the flow of goods and strengthening regional value chains.
The engagements therefore underscore a shared recognition that cooperation and coordinated policy action are essential to building a more competitive and integrated East African economy.
