[Kenya] KenTrade unveils APM tool to facilitate trade

 

The Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has launched an Applications Performance Monitoring tool that will help monitor and track the performance of the National Electronic Single Window System, which is also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform. 

The Trade Facilitation Platform facilitates trade in Kenya by reducing delays and lowering costs associated with clearance of goods at the Kenyan borders, while maintaining the requisite controls and collection of levies, fee and duties, where applicable, on imports and exports.

The Application Performance Monitoring tool, which was developed with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will enable KenTrade to reduce the Platform’s downtime and ensure business continuity in service delivery. 

This will additionally enhance end-user experience, system performance, optimize system security and increase system availability.

Speaking at the launch, KenTrade’s Acting Chief Executive Officer David Ngarama said that implementation of the Application Performance Management Tool will enable the Agency to predict and prevent performance issues before they impact Trade Facilitation Platform users. 

“Implementation of the Application Performance Management tool was necessitated by the lack of a tool to monitor the performance of the Trade Facilitation Platform or pre-empt downtime and ensure availability”. He added that the Agency needed to deploy a performance tool to troubleshoot in the event of such challenges.

The launch of the Applications Performance Monitoring tool was attended by a delegation from the International Finance Corporation led by Gokhan Akinci, Creating Markets Advisory Acting Senior Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa, and KenTrade fraternity at the KenTrade Offices in Nairobi.

“Streamlined eGovernment services simplifies complex procedures, reduces processing times, and helps government reach a wider audience. IFC is happy to leverage its longstanding partnership with KenTrade by providing advisory services to support their work to build and deploy robust technology solutions that will enhance service delivery and facilitate trade” said Gokhan Akinci, IFC Creating Markets Advisory Acting Senior Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa.

In August 2021, KenTrade upgraded the National Electronic Single Window System to enhance system productivity, improve users experience and avoid technological obsolescence. Additionally, the upgrade was necessary to accommodate the growth and to ensure that our stakeholders continue to receive efficient services.

The Agency has managed to bring on board most of the intended platform users. The Agency finalised on the integration between the Trade Facilitation Platform and KRA’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS) on 1 st October 2022. 

This enhanced the transmission of messages between the TFP and ICMS and allowed for complete automation of Cargo release at the Kenyan ports.
In November this year, together with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Agency finalized the integration between the TFP and KEBS Information Management System. 

The integration successfully automated submission of the Local Certificate of Conformity, Foreign Certificate of Conformity and Certificate of Inspection through the TFP.

www.kentrade.go.ke