Somalia and Kenya work toward simpler cross-border trade
A bilateral discussion focused on more predictable trading conditions and practical steps to reduce barriers for small traders.
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Amb. Gamal M Hassan, met Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, in Addis Ababa on September 2, 2026.
The ministers agreed to work toward a formal bilateral trade framework to remove obstacles at the border and make conditions more predictable for businesses.
Practical steps for small traders
HoA DRIVE Somalia supports the country’s work toward a Simplified Trade Regime with Kenya. A study commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with project support identified steps to simplify procedures and reduce costs for small traders.
The discussion followed a June 2026 technical meeting during the DRIVE Implementation Support Mission in Nairobi.
