From October 1, alcohol importers and exporters in Kenya will be required to go online when requesting permits and licenses.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) announced this week that all alcohol import and export documentation must be done using the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS).
The system is one part of a broad government initiative to rationalize trade systems, eliminate documentation, and close loopholes that have long spurred inefficiency and in some cases, corruption.
Speaking on Wednesday, NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa clarified that the new system, which is run by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), will make the licensing process faster, fairer, and more transparent.
This integration is not just a question of technology it’s one of responsibility,” Dr. Omerikwa said. “It allows us to approve automatically, monitor compliance in real-time, and provide a better experience to those in the alcohol business.”
What Does This Change for Alcohol Importers?
Under the new rules, all persons who import or export alcoholic beverages into or out of the country are expected to create an account on the NESWS platform. They can then apply for their license online, attach documents, and pay their fees.
Once the goods arrive at a Kenyan port or border, the importer (or their clearing agent) must also apply for a Consignment Document through the same system to facilitate clearance. This document is mandatory but comes at no extra cost.
The payments themselves will be made via the government’s eCitizen platform, which is now integrated into the licensing process.
If you already have a valid import or export permit issued before the October 1 deadline, don’t worry about it it is still valid until it expires. NACADA says such permits will be migrated into the online system to ensure continuity and traceability.
However, from now on, all new applications and all renewal requests will be required to be filed through the online system.
Getting Ready for the Change
In a bid to make the transition process easier for enterprises, NACADA has invited stakeholders to its website, where it has published a step-by-step guide on the use of the new platform.
The authority has also committed to offering onboarding assistance to importers, exporters, and clearing agents as necessary.
“We recognize that it will take some readjustment to this change,” the statement reads. “But the long-term benefits fewer delays, better accuracy of data, and easier monitoring are worth it.”
The agency insists that no new fees have been charged and that all fees remain as specified in the existing legal code.
A Greater Drive for Accountability
This web rollout is not just about convenience. NACADA considers it a step toward greater transparency in its industry, because sometimes it has worked.
Under one cyber umbrella, bringing together all of an alcohol’s importation and exportation information, the agency says, will deter black market activity and improve public health outcomes.
Ever since Dr. Omerikwa took the reins of NACADA back in November 2023, prioritizing regulatory reform, this digitization appears to be one of the first major steps in that direction.
With the deadline looming, importers and exporters are being encouraged not to leave things until the last minute.
The system is live and support is in place but by October 1, it will be the sole means of legally trading in alcohol across Kenyan borders.
