East Africa unlocks opportunities for small-scale traders at Taveta border

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Trade transactions with Tanzania through the Taveta–Holili One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) have reached record levels as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) leverage trade facilitation measures under the East African Community (EAC) framework.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) data shows that between July 2024 and December 2025, a total of 9,660 Simplified Certificates of Origin (SCOs) were issued to Kenyan traders exporting goods to Tanzania.

The simplified certificates enable traders to enjoy import duty-free access for qualifying goods of value up to Sh250,000 under the EAC simplified trade regime. However, local taxes, including excise duty and VAT, are payable where applicable.

Records show that during the period, key exports from Kenya included margarine, cosmetics, spices, household utensils, mattresses, window glass, steel wire products, and other manufactured goods.