Kenya has formally entered the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to boost its manufacturing exports, but faces significant non-tariff barriers hindering its success.

• Kenya shipped its first AfCFTA consignment in October 2022, a container of Exide batteries to Ghana.
• Despite strong policy support and identified priority sectors like pharmaceuticals and agro-processing, manufacturers report high transport costs, fragmented regulations, and inconsistent product standards as major obstacles.
• The Kenya Association of Manufacturers highlights that logistics inefficiencies and non-tariff barriers are now more significant impediments than tariffs for businesses trading across Africa.