In a move aimed at fostering regional trade within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Kenya has joined hands with authorities of the bloc, launching the Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO) system, a transformative step that seeks to modernize the country's trade processes and unlock trade opportunities in the area. 

On Thursday, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) said that the eCOO system digitizes the registration of exporters and the issuance of Certificates of Origin. 

These certificates are important in helping cross-border traders to access preferential trade benefits under regional trade agreements, including COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

COMESA Director of Trade and Customs, Dr. Christopher Onyang, noted that the initiative marks a significant advancement in the region’s integration push under the COMESA Digital Free Trade Area. 

“This launch is a clear demonstration of Kenya’s commitment and leadership in advancing COMESA’s integration agenda,” said Dr. Onyango, adding: “We commend Kenya for embracing this innovation, which fosters efficiency, competitiveness, transparency, and trust in regional trade.”

First launched in November 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, the eCOO system has since been adopted in Eswatini, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Kenya becomes the fifth COMESA Member State to officially implement the system. 

Trade in Comesa

Statistics show that exports and trade among Comesa countries increased to about $14.1 billion in 2022 from an estimated $12.8 billion a year earlier in the market of approximately 650 million people.

Until now, the certification process was fully manual, requiring exporters to make physical applications, print the certificates, and undertake in-person verification. 

The old system was not only time-consuming and costly for exporters but also prone to fraud, inaccurate records, and inefficient tracking. 

The new digital platform enables exporters to submit applications online, with certificates now verified and issued electronically, a shift that cuts processing time and paperwork while lowering operational costs. 

eCOOO also improves the accuracy and security of trade documentation, strengthens compliance, and enhances the sharing of trade data across borders.

KRA noted that the launch reflects Kenya’s broader commitment to regional digital trade integration, aligning with existing initiatives under the Single Customs Territory framework already embraced by other EAC Partner States. 

KRA started automating its customs operations in 2016 with the introduction of the Integrated Customs Management System, which was commissioned in 2018. The eCOO module was piloted in 2022 and, after undergoing technical refinements, is now fully operational. 

Both COMESA and EAC eCOOs are currently being issued electronically. To support implementation, Rules of Origin officers in key regions including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret have been trained on how to use the system. 

Exporter onboarding is underway, with initial registrations successfully completed in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. According to KRA, the introduction of the eCOO system will enhance service delivery and increase the speed and reliability of cargo clearance. 

The system is also expected to boost Kenya’s competitiveness in both regional and international markets, while supporting the Authority’s broader goal of providing efficient, technology-driven customer services.