Only goods certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards will be allowed to access the African markets as the Africa Continental Free Trade agreements takes effect Thursday.
Kenya Bureau of Standards Testing Director Henry Rotich has urged local Artisans and SMEs to familiarize themselves with the regional harmonized standards to effectively compete in regional markets.
So far only 24 African countries out of 54 states have ratified the free trade agreement.
With a combined gross domestic product of more than 300 trillion shillings and access to 1.3 billion consumers, Kenyan traders are seeking to tap into the lucrative market.
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To this end the Kenya Bureau of standards has started offering training, to local artisans on the regulations and standard requirements.
KEBS says only goods certified by the institution will have access to the regional market.
Plans are also under way to harmonize standards across the continent to enhance the cross border trade.
KEBS adds that they have also come up with standardization of materials needed for the affordable housing scheme and soon will start sensitizing the juakali artisans on the proposed standards.
They are currently organizing workshops on local and regional standards across all counties to assist SMEs and local artisans easily access the markets.