Kenya's Revenue Authority is in the middle of a full overhaul of its customs system, with a target of fully automating cargo operations during 2026. The centrepiece is a single electronic window that lets traders submit import and export documents electronically and links Kenya's customs procedures with other East African Community partner states. KRA reports the system has already cut cargo clearance times by at least 60%.
One change worth flagging for any importer: sea manifests now need to be submitted 48 hours before a vessel docks or departs. Miss that window and you're looking at delays that have nothing to do with the cargo itself — just the paperwork around it. KRA has also begun piloting AI and machine-learning tools to flag inconsistencies in declarations before they become clearance disputes.
Rwanda has taken its own route via the Rwanda Electronic Single Window, which now handles customs declarations entirely online through the Rwanda Revenue Authority. For smaller consignments — goods valued under RWF 500,000 — RRA also offers a mobile-friendly declaration app that lets importers submit details in advance of arriving at the border, with duty and tax notifications sent directly by SMS.
The common thread across the region is digitisation, but each partner state's revenue authority is moving at its own pace and on its own platform. That means the practical advice for 2026 hasn't really changed even as the tools have: file early, keep documentation consistent across every system you touch, and work with a clearing agent who's actively plugged into whichever single window applies to your route.
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