The Government of Ethiopia and neighboring Kenya through the Ethiopia Customs Commission and the Border Control and Operation Coordination Committee respectively today signed the Moyale – Moyale One Stop Border Post (OSBP) operational procedure manual in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event was attended by key private and public sector players from both countries. This follows the inauguration launch on 9th December 2020 by the Heads of both Governments and the subsequent commencement of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Operations, on 8th June 2021.
The OSBP operations manual will guide Government officers of the border regulatory agencies in successful implementation of coordinated border management operations, so that to improve border crossing efficiencies, by making border clearance processes easier, faster and cheaper for traders, transporters and travelers, without compromise to the border regulatory requirements.
The two Governments also held a consultative workshop at Moyale OSBP, with representatives from various public and private sector organisations from both Ethiopia and Kenya, where they discussed the opportunities available for traders to use the OSBP.
Speaking during the consultative workshop with the private sector, Mr. Kennedy Nyaiyo, Kenya’s head of delegation and the Secretary of Kenya’s Border Management Secretariat reiterated the Kenyan Government’s support in encouraging trade between the two nations.
“The signing of the procedure manual will guarantee that all processes have been reviewed and harmonised . This will ensure that trading and cooperation between Kenya and Ethiopia is efficient and effectively facilitated”
On his part, Mr. Debele Kabeta, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Customs Commission said, “Though
the two countries have a long time friendly relations, trade connectivity between us has been quite
insignificant compared to the potential we have for doing business”.
He further stated that “Currently, the situation is changing and the volume and diversity of goods traded between Ethiopia and Kenya is growing at a higher rate. The operationalization of Moyale One Stop Border Post will be a breakthrough to boost trade relations and free movement of people between the two countries.”
The Moyale OSBP is expected to improve trade volumes, increase efficiency in doing business, foster community cohesion and development, and strengthen relationships between Kenya and Ethiopia.
The commencement of Moyale OSBP operations has been achieved through cooperation of the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya, represented by Ethiopia Customs Commission, Ethiopia Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Border Management Secretariat (Kenya) Kenya Revenue Authority and the other border regulatory agencies, supported by TradeMark East Africa with funding by the United Kingdom.
The construction component of Moyale OSBP was funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya.
TradeMark East Africa is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMEA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, United States of America as well as the European Union.
TMEA has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, with successful operations and offices in EAC Arusha, Burundi (Bujumbura), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), Democratic Republic of Congo (Bukavu), Ethiopia (Addis-Ababa), Malawi, Zambia, South Sudan, Uganda (Kampala) and Rwanda (Kigali).