Uganda and Kenya have initiated bilateral talks to harmonize trade and industrial policies, remove persistent non-tariff barriers, and strengthen regional economic integration.
Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, led the Ugandan delegation to Nairobi, representing H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The bilateral engagements brought together trade and industrial officials from both nations to create a predictable environment for manufacturers, investors, and agricultural exporters across East Africa.
Hon. Tanna who assumed the trade portfolio in June 2026, held technical and policy discussions with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui.
The joint ministerial sessions focused on establishing shared regulatory standards, aligning product certifications, and resolving cross-border bottlenecks affecting supply chains along the Northern Corridor.
The delegation also met with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
President Ruto emphasized that East African Community (EAC) member states must eliminate non-tariff barriers that impede intra-regional commerce, harm farm-gate prices, and raise consumer costs.
President Ruto reiterated his administration's position that regional economic partners should prioritize domestic processing and value addition over importing finished consumer goods from outside Africa.
The Kenyan side reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining open diplomatic and economic channels to resolve trade friction before it escalates into full trade disputes.
The two nations agreed to hold a follow-up bilateral trade review meeting in Uganda during the first week of October 2026 to track progress on policy harmonization.
The Nairobi talks align with Uganda’s ongoing industrialization strategy, including the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) framework, and Kenya’s policy focus on industrial expansion and local content regulation.
