4th May 2026, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Tanzania–Kenya Business Forum took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Forum convened high-level government officials, private sector leaders, and development stakeholders from both countries to advance bilateral trade, investment, and regional integration.
The Forum aimed to position Tanzania and Kenya as a single, unified investment destination while strengthening bilateral trade and investment flows between the two countries. It also focused on identifying and eliminating non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that hinder cross-border commerce, enhancing private sector leadership in advancing regional integration, and promoting key enablers such as infrastructure development, digital transformation, and value chain development to support sustainable economic growth.
Presidential Statements
H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto,President of the Republic of Kenya, noted that Kenya and Tanzania have set a target of USD.1 Billion in new trade and USD 504 million in cross-border investments. He emphasized the urgent removal of non-tariff barriers, including border delays, non-harmonised standards, and restricted market access, with a joint deadline of 30 June 2026.
H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, announced plans to digitise customs and establish a 30-day dispute resolution window under the newly formed Joint Business Council.
Trade and Investment Outlook
Kenya–Tanzania economic integration continues to deepen, with over USD 1.7 billion in Kenyan investments in Tanzania and over USD 334.6 million in Tanzanian investments in Kenya, reflecting growing cross-border confidence.
East Africa Community Common market of over 300 million people. However, non-tariff barriers including border delays, non-harmonised standards, and regulatory fragmentation, continue to constrain trade and investment.
EABC Participation and Role
The East African Business Council (EABC) led by Board Members from the Tanzania Private Sector Federation (TPSF) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), alongside members and the Executive Director, actively participated in the Forum. The private sector led by EABC called for urgent action on non-tariff barriers (NTBs), improved policy predictability, harmonised standards, and faster customs processes to enhance regional competitiveness. The EABC also emphasized the need for stronger implementation of agreed reforms and the development of joint regional projects to accelerate integration and unlock business opportunities.
Forum Outcomes
The Forum delivered several strategic outcomes:
- Institutionalisation of the Tanzania–Kenya Business Forum as an annual event
- Commitment by both governments to eliminate non-tariff barriers within a defined timeline
- Signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering energy, legal cooperation, agriculture, railway development, public service capacity building, maritime cooperation, seafarer certification, and standards harmonisation
Panel Discussions
Integrating Tanzania and Kenya: Unlocking Private Sector Potential
The panel shared a commercial vision, identified structural barriers, and highlighted priority opportunities for deeper bilateral integration. It also presented findings from a baseline survey of 200 firms on trade and investment experiences in both countries.
Key discussions focused on untapped commercial opportunities, policy measures to accelerate private sector engagement, the long-term 10-year vision for the corridor, and structuring Tanzania–Kenya business partnerships to leverage AfCFTA.
Participants emphasized shifting from fragmented trade to a unified commercial system, with the private sector driving integration. They noted that scale and market size outweigh tax incentives, while mistrust remains a key barrier. The discussion also highlighted regional diversification, trust-building, and innovative financing, including joint capital markets and infrastructure funding.
The panel on Integrating Tanzania and Kenya: Unlocking Private Sector Potential was moderated by Amb. John R. Ulanga, Director of Economic Diplomacy at MFAEAC. The panel brought together Mr. Vicent Bruno Minja, President of TCCIA; Dr. Eric Rutto, President of KNCCI; Mr. Paul Russo, Group CEO of KCB Group; Mr. Rostam Aziz, Chairman of Taifa Group; and Mr. Ashish Mistri, Head of Manufacturing – East Africa at Mabati Rolling Mills. The discussion shared a commercial vision, identified structural barriers, and highlighted priority opportunities for deeper bilateral integration, drawing on findings from a baseline survey of 200 firms.
Infrastructure, Energy & Connectivity: Building the Arteries of Commerce
The panel assessed infrastructure and energy systems supporting bilateral trade and proposed a private sector agenda to accelerate corridor development.
Discussions covered the Tanzania–Kenya Power Interconnector, mobilization of private capital for border infrastructure and OSBP upgrades, SGR integration, port complementarity, and logistics standardisation.
Key proposals included private sector participation in railway operations and development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure along regional corridors.
The panel on Infrastructure, Energy & Connectivity was moderated by Ms. Monica Hangi, Resident Director – Tanzania at Gatsby Africa. It featured Mr. Oliver Bunting, CFO of Maersk – Eastern Africa; Mr. Philip J. Mainga, Managing Director of Kenya Railways Corporation; and Eng. Machibya Masanja, CEO of Tanzania Railways Corporation.
Financial Systems, Fintech & The Digital Economy
The panel explored building an integrated financial ecosystem, including a live demonstration of cross-border mobile money transfer.
Discussions focused on regulatory reforms for fintech integration, collaboration between DSE and NSE for cross-listing, and development of a seamless payments corridor.
The Forum highlighted opportunities to integrate cross-border payment systems, expand digital trade platforms, and develop a regional e-commerce ecosystem under AfCFTA.
The panel on Financial Systems, Fintech & the Digital Economy was moderated by Mr. Eric Massinda, CEO of the Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT). It brought together Ms. Sauda Msemo, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Tanzania; Dr. Abdulmajid Nsekela, Group CEO & Managing Director of CRDB Bank; Mr. Jaswinder Bedi, Chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance; and Mr. David Tarimo, Board Chairman of Vodacom Tanzania PLC.
Agriculture, Trade & Investment — From Farm to Market
The panel examined how Tanzania and Kenya can transform agriculture into a fully integrated regional value chain system.
Participants emphasized moving from competition to complementarity, building structured value chains, and strengthening coordination between farmers, aggregators, processors, and markets.
Non-tariff barriers, logistics inefficiencies, and weak cold chain systems were identified as key constraints. Digital transformation and data integration were highlighted as key enablers for efficiency and planning.
The panel concluded that while solutions are known, implementation remains the key challenge, requiring political will, policy consistency, and sustained public-private collaboration.
The panel on Agriculture, Trade & Investment was moderated by Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the East African Business Council (EABC). It featured Tobias Alando, CEO of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers; Obinna Anyalebechi, Managing Director of Serengeti Breweries; Joachim Westerveld, CEO of Bio Food Products; Antony Chamanga, Head of Strategy at TAHA; Benjamin Tito, Director – Regional Coordination at the Agriculture and Food Authority (Kenya); and Solomon Michael, Country Director of TradeMark Africa.
Conclusion
The Forum reaffirmed that Tanzania and Kenya are moving toward a single integrated market. With strong private sector leadership through EABC and political commitment from both governments, the region is positioned to unlock trade, investment, and shared prosperity.
