State agencies, private sector partner to enhance port efficiency

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and stakeholders at the Port of Mombasa have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the facility into a globally competitive trade hub through enhanced collaboration, digital transformation and coordinated reforms aimed at facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding government revenue.

The Port of Mombasa is the premier maritime gateway to East and Central Africa, serving as a critical trade lifeline connecting more than 80 global ports to a vast landlocked hinterland.

It links international shipping lines to millions of people and serves as the starting point of the Northern Corridor, connecting Kenya’s coast to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.

Speaking during a high-level strategic coordination meeting at the port, KRA Commissioner General Adan Mohammed said sustained collaboration between government agencies and the private sector was critical to positioning Mombasa as a world-class logistics hub and a catalyst for Kenya’s economic growth.

“The success of our port depends on our ability to work together. Our objective is to create a seamless, predictable and efficient cargo clearance environment that supports business growth while protecting the country’s revenue,” Mohammed said.

He said continued engagement with stakeholders was helping remove operational bottlenecks, embrace technology and strengthen compliance to create a level playing field for traders.

The meeting, jointly convened by KRA and KPA, brought together senior officials from the two institutions, regulatory agencies, the Mombasa County Government, Container Freight Station (CFS) operators, shipping agents and private sector representatives.

The stakeholders reviewed ongoing reforms and agreed on measures to improve cargo movement, reduce delays and strengthen the efficiency of the Port of Mombasa.

The discussions highlighted the strategic importance of the port, which currently handles approximately 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), making it a principal maritime gateway for the region.

However, KRA noted that about 40 per cent of the containers handled at the port are empty, while the Authority collects customs revenue from only about 25 per cent of the total containers.

The figures, officials said, underscore the need to optimise cargo flow, improve compliance and accelerate the clearance of legitimate imports while ensuring efficient utilisation of port infrastructure.

As part of the transformation agenda, stakeholders reviewed progress in implementing the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) system, designed to facilitate pre-arrival processing by allowing cargo documentation to be submitted and verified before goods are loaded at the port of export.

Mohammed said that since the ACD platform was rolled out on August 3, 2026, it had received more than 1,000 applications, demonstrating growing uptake by traders and shipping stakeholders ahead of full implementation.

“This will enable importers to commence customs processing earlier and significantly reduce cargo dwell time upon arrival at the Port of Mombasa,” he said.

Port stakeholders welcomed progress in implementing ACD and agreed to continue engaging on operational requirements to ensure a smooth transition.

They said effective implementation would support trade facilitation, improve supply chain efficiency and enhance predictability for importers and other businesses relying on the port.

The meeting also reviewed technological enhancements aimed at eliminating manual processes across the cargo clearance chain.

KRA and KPA announced plans to commence the Smart Gate pilot at Gate 24, supported by enhanced integration between the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) and Partner Government Agencies.

The digital platform is expected to automate ship tracking, radar surveillance and marine communications, helping streamline maritime traffic and improve cargo clearance.

The Smart Gate initiative is also expected to automate cargo movement, improve visibility across the supply chain, strengthen cargo security and reduce delays at port exit points.

To enhance operational efficiency, KRA and KPA will harmonise staff shifts to guarantee continuous gate operations and facilitate cargo evacuation around the clock.

Recognising increasing cargo volumes and the need to preserve critical port space, stakeholders agreed to strengthen off-dock cargo clearance by operationalising Container Freight Stations as extensions of the port.

CFS operators were urged to operate on a 24-hour, seven-day basis to support uninterrupted cargo evacuation, ease congestion and improve utilisation of available port space.

Mohammed said efficient off-dock operations would contribute to faster cargo movement and generate wider economic benefits by reducing delays and the cost of doing business.

While reaffirming KRA’s commitment to facilitating compliant trade, the Commissioner General emphasised that enforcement against tax evasion and fraud remained a key priority.

“KRA will continue supporting honest businesses through efficient service delivery, but we shall maintain zero tolerance against deliberate non-compliance. Effective enforcement protects compliant traders, safeguards government revenue and enhances Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional trade and logistics hub,” he said.

KPA Chief Executive Officer Capt. William Ruto said automation was among the key initiatives being implemented by the port authority, with Smart Gates at Gate 24 expected to reduce human intervention and enhance cargo security.

Capt. Ruto reaffirmed KPA’s commitment to expanding the port’s capacity to accommodate growing trade volumes, citing the construction of Berth 19B and a container yard at Berth 23 among ongoing projects.

He said the authority was also working to optimise available space and maintain seamless cargo flow by transferring domestic cargo to nominated Container Freight Stations.

“To further optimise the available space and maintain seamless cargo flow, domestic cargo will be transferred to nominated Container Freight Stations (CFS), creating additional room within the port while ensuring cargo remains secure and easily accessible,” he said.

Ruto said KRA had increased its workforce at the port and introduced three shifts to support 24-hour gate operations in line with KPA’s operational schedule.

The two agencies also underscored the importance of closer coordination in addressing challenges affecting cargo clearance and movement.

They said regular engagement with shipping lines, clearing agents, CFS operators, transporters and other private sector players would help identify bottlenecks and develop practical solutions.

The stakeholders noted that improving port efficiency was important not only for Kenya but also for landlocked countries that depend on Mombasa as a major gateway for their imports and exports.

A more efficient port is expected to reduce cargo dwell time, lower logistics costs, improve supply chain reliability and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and international trade.

The meeting agreed that continued public-private engagement would remain an important mechanism for resolving operational challenges, strengthening compliance and implementing reforms.

KRA, KPA and industry stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the structured engagement platform as a means of driving reforms, improving cargo movement and positioning the Port of Mombasa as the preferred gateway for regional and international trade.

By Hussein Abdullahi