The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has announced a major shift in the processing of licenses for alcoholic beverages.
In a notice, NACADA said all import and export licenses, as well as consignment documents for alcoholic drinks and related products, will now be handled through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS).
The system to be managed by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), it said, will go fully digital starting October 1, 2025.
“All fees related to licensing remain unchanged and will continue to be guided by existing legal provisions,” the notice read in part.
The integration will centralise clearance under NACADA, cut down manual paperwork and delays, and boost compliance and data integrity across government agencies.
Payments, however, will now be made exclusively through the eCitizen platform, which is integrated into the NESWS to guarantee secure and efficient transactions.
Licenses issued before the transition date will remain valid for their original duration.
NACADA has assured stakeholders that details of such licenses will be uploaded into the NESWS, allowing automated generation of consignment documents and seamless online clearance of shipments.
To ease the transition, the authority has also outlined a two-step process for stakeholders.
First, importers, exporters, or customs agents will have to log into the NESWS system and apply for a master document or a license.
They will then have to make payments, as per NACADA’s gazetted fees, before submission for approval.
Second, upon shipment arrival at the entry point, a Consignment Document (Permit) will be requested through the system to authorise clearance of alcoholic beverages.
The permits, NACADA clarified, serve as clearance and will not attract any fees.
A step-by-step user guide will also be made available on the NACADA website to assist traders and customs agents.
Stakeholders have been urged to familiarise themselves with the digital platform ahead of the rollout.
NACADA says it will provide support during onboarding to ensure a smooth transition.
“This integration marks an important step towards efficient, transparent, and accountable management of alcohol licensing in Kenya,” the authority stated.
The move is in line with the national initiative to streamline trade processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen regulatory oversight in the sector.
KenTrade is a State corporation under the National Treasury.
It was established in 2011 to implement and manage the NESWS and to facilitate trade.
Kenya TradeNet System is an online platform that serves as a single entry point for parties involved in international trade and transport logistics to lodge documents electronically, for processing, approvals and to make payments electronically for fees, levies, duties and taxes due to the Government, on goods imported or exported in the country
