By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, May 05, 2026 - President William Ruto and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan are seeking to deepen economic ties between the two neighbouring countries, with a new push to remove trade barriers slowing businesses across the border.
Speaking during the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum in Dar es Salaam, Ruto said Kenya and Tanzania had set an ambitious target of generating KSh130 billion in new trade and KSh65 billion in fresh cross-border investments.
The forum brought together more than 300 business leaders and private sector players from both countries, signalling renewed efforts to strengthen regional trade and investment.
According to Ruto, the two governments are now focusing on practical solutions that will make it easier for traders, transporters and investors to operate across borders.
“To achieve this ambition, we must deliberately bring down hurdles that hinder free movement of people, goods and services,” Ruto said.
He noted that businesses continue to face costly delays caused by non-tariff barriers such as border hold-ups, differing standards and restricted market access.
“Business and trade will grow exponentially if non-tariff barriers are eliminated, including border delays, non-harmonised standards, and restricted market access,” he added.
The President revealed that Kenya and Tanzania had agreed on a June 30, 2026 deadline to remove the barriers affecting trade between the two countries.
The move is expected to benefit traders, manufacturers and transport companies that rely heavily on the Kenya-Tanzania corridor for business.
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Ruto also called for stronger cooperation between the private sector and governments, saying the Joint Business Council would now play a bigger role in tracking progress and resolving emerging challenges.
“Our Joint Business Council must become the central platform for structured collaboration,” he said.
In addition, the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum will now become an annual event aimed at reviewing trade progress, monitoring implementation of agreements and identifying new investment opportunities.
Ruto said both governments were committed to creating a more predictable and business-friendly environment for investors.
“We reaffirmed our steadfast resolve to provide a stable, predictable, and enabling environment,” he stated.
The renewed partnership comes at a time when East African countries are under pressure to increase intra-regional trade and reduce dependence on external markets.