Moyale One Stop Border Post Set to Boost Kenya-Ethiopia Trade [PHOTOS]

On his part, Mr. Kennedy Nyaiyo, Kenya’s head of delegation and the Secretary of Kenya’s Border Management Secretariat said, “Today, with the collaboration of both governments, development partners; the legal frameworks, construction, supplying office infrastructure and ICT technology and solar power of Moyale are fulfilled and ready for operation. Let us utilize the OSBP and explore its opportunities to facilitate trade between Ethiopia and Kenya.”

TMEA Ethiopia Deputy Country Director Mr. Abenet Bekele said, “The Moyale OSBP is an important milestone for Ethiopia in cementing its position as a key player in trade in the Horn and East African region and sets a positive precedent for other similar projects in the country’s key border points. The OSBP will improve efficiency by reducing time and transport costs for businessmen, traders, tourists, transporters, and communities while crossing from one partner state to another. ”

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His counterpart, TMEA Kenya Programme Manager Mr. Daniel Muturi, congratulated the two Governments for the major achievement. He said “We have already seen momentum created by the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopian (LAPSSET) corridor with the launch of the first berth at the Lamu Port. The Moyale OSBP will be a key catalyst to enhance trade on the trans-African Highway to accelerate socio-economic transformation for both countries.”

The project has been implemented by partners under the integrated border management component including the Ethiopia Customs Commission, Border Management Secretariat, and Kenya Revenue Authority, jointly with the other Government of Kenya and Government of Ethiopia border regulatory agencies, and TradeMark East Africa. Moyale OSBP development is complimented by the development of other infrastructure projects such as a bitumen standard 438 Kilometres road from Merille River to Moyale in Kenya and 300 Kilometres roads’ sections in Ethiopia, with support from Africa Development Bank (AfDB), European Union, Government of Kenya and the Government of Ethiopia.

The OSBP will enhance the free movement of people and goods between the two countries; and combined with other initiatives, is expected to contribute to boosting trade volumes. Kenya’s exports to Ethiopia in 2019 were valued at USD 67 million, while Ethiopia’s exports to Kenya were valued at US$ 52.05 million and it is expected to increase significantly with the operationalisation.

An OSBP is a trade facilitation tool applied at land borders between two adjoining States. It refers to the simplified and harmonised legal and institutional framework, facilities, and associated coordinated procedures and processes. The OSBP enables goods, people, and vehicles crossing a border, to stop only once in the country of entry, in which they undergo necessary regulatory controls following applicable regional and national laws to exit the adjoining state and enter the host state.

It entails a “an inclusive and consultative whole Government” approach by creating an entire system, which enables business players to undergo border crossing exit and entry formalities only once in the country of entry. As a result, the clearance time at border crossing points is shortened. OSBPs promote a coordinated and integrated approach to facilitating trade, the movement of people, and improving security.

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