- Kentrade Unveils Applications Performance Measurement tool to track the effectiveness of the National Electronic Single Window System
- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) helped build the application
- Implementation of the National Electronic Single Window System has improved Kenya’s World Bank rating in the ease of doing business report, particularly in cross-border trade
The Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has introduced an Applications Performance Measurement tool that will assist in tracking and assessing the effectiveness of the National Electronic Single Window System, popularly known as the Trade Facilitation Platform.
The Trade Facilitation Platform will minimise the time and expense required for goods to be cleared at Kenyan borders while still maintaining the necessary checks and the collection of levies, fees, and charges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) helped build the application performance monitoring tool, allowing KenTrade to decrease platform downtime and maintain service delivery continuity.
This will also improve end-user experiences, system performance, security, and availability.
Interim KenTrade Chief Executive Officer David Ngarama noted that implementing this Application Performance Management Solution will allow the agency to predict and avoid performance issues before they harm Trade Facilitation Platform customers.
“The absence of a tool to track the operation of the Trade Facilitation Portal or pre-empt downtime and ensure availability prompted the deployment of the Application Performance Management tool,” Ngarama explained.
“Streamlined eGovernment services simplify complex procedures, decrease processing times, and enable the Government to reach a wider audience.
Benefits of Single Window system to Kenya Trade
KenTrade modified the National Electronic Single Window System in August 2021 to increase system productivity, improve user experience, and avoid technical obsolescence.
Eliminating obstacles connected to processing import and export cargo documents that have impacted Kenya’s business climate and international competitiveness remains a significant aspect of the Government’s transformative strategy.
This is especially true in international and cross-border trade, where Kenya implements significant reforms at ports and border points via continuous automation and digitisation of trade transaction processes.
Implementing a Single Window System, the online cargo clearing system known in Kenya as the Kenya TradeNet System, is a significant step forward in this process.
The module-based system brings together 42 stakeholders and over 10,000 registered users, including more than 35 state issuance agencies recognised as Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) for whom the cargo clearance records have now been streamlined via System integrations or interoperability with Kenya TradeNet System.
Through the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) iTax system and the Government’s eCitizen platforms, Kenya TradeNet System is also connected to financial institutions (banks, mobile payment solutions), offering an end-to-end electronic cargo documentation platform.
One of the main factors improving Kenya’s World Bank rating in the ease of doing business report, particularly in cross-border trading, was the successful implementation of the Kenya TradeNet System and associated benefits.
The upgrade was also required to handle the expansion and guarantee that stakeholders continue to receive adequate services. The agency has onboarded a majority of the platform’s intended users.
This improved communication between the TFP and ICMS and made it possible for cargo release at Kenyan ports to be fully automated.
In collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Agency completed the TFP and KEBS Information Management System integration in November of this year.
The automatic Local Certificate of Conformity, Foreign Certificate of Conformity, and Certificate of Inspection submissions through the TPF.
Read: All eyes on EAC border points as massive delays bite | KenTrade
