NAIROBI, Kenya, July 30 – The Kenyan authorities has raised alarm over contemporary commerce restrictions and tax measures launched by Tanzania, warning that they threat undermining the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda.
Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui criticised Tanzania’s new Finance Act 2025 and adjustments to the Excise (Management and Tariff) Act 2019, which introduce an Industrial Development Levy and extra excise duties of between 10% and 15% on imported items.
He stated the transfer makes Kenyan merchandise much less aggressive within the Tanzanian market, with some gadgets now costing as much as 65% extra.
More contentious is the brand new Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, which bans foreigners — together with EAC residents — from participating in 15 enterprise classes, together with micro and small-scale industries.
“These measures undermine the spirit of the EAC Common Market Protocol, which grants companion states equal rights to determine and function companies,” stated Kinyanjui, urging Tanzania to rescind the brand new restrictions.
Kenya has initiated bilateral engagements and can be working via EAC mechanisms, together with the latest Extraordinary Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs, which directed the EAC Secretariat to audit all taxes and expenses that contravene regional commerce agreements.
