Kenya’s Alcohol Industry Braces for Digital Licensing as NACADA Sets October 1 Deadline
A new online system is set to replace years of paperwork, bringing Kenya’s alcohol trade into a digital-first era.
Kenya’s alcohol importers and exporters are about to face a major procedural overhaul. Beginning October 1, 2025, all licenses and consignment documents for alcoholic beverages will be processed exclusively through the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP).
The announcement by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) signals the end of manual paperwork in a sector long bogged down by delays, duplicated processes, and compliance bottlenecks.
Centralised Online Processing
With the transition, traders and clearing agents will be required to apply for licenses, permits, and consignment documents through the TFP. The system has been designed to link NACADA with other partner agencies, creating a single digital workflow that improves coordination while cutting out inefficiencies.
Payments will remain on the eCitizen platform, which has been integrated into TFP for convenience and security. Importantly, NACADA stressed that no new fees will be introduced under the digital framework.
What Happens to Existing Licenses
Licenses issued before the October rollout will remain valid until their expiry. However, details of those permits must still be uploaded into the TFP system to allow for automated document generation and smoother cargo clearance. By eliminating the cumbersome manual release process, officials believe clearance times will drop significantly.
A Push for Compliance and Transparency
For NACADA, the digital shift is about more than just convenience. The authority says the platform will enable better tracking and data sharing between government bodies, strengthening oversight and ensuring proper standards in the alcohol trade.
“The Trade Facilitation Platform is a tool for efficiency, but also accountability,” NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said. “By digitising licensing, we reduce loopholes that have traditionally allowed non-compliant players into the market.”
Preparing for the Transition
Stakeholders are being urged to familiarise themselves with the new system before October to avoid disruptions. NACADA has pledged to provide training materials, user guides, and technical support to importers, exporters, and clearing agents.
The success of the rollout will depend on how quickly traders adapt. Those who delay onboarding risk delays in cargo clearance once the platform goes live.
The Bigger Picture
Kenya has been steadily digitising trade and licensing systems across multiple sectors as part of a wider government strategy to improve service delivery and reduce corruption. For the alcohol industry, the TFP represents both a compliance tool and a test case for how regulatory digitisation can reshape a sector that contributes significantly to revenue but also carries high social oversight.
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