Non-Tariff Barriers in the East African Community and Free Trade between Kenya and Tanzania, 1999 To 2016

Abstract

Despite globalization gaining prominence as countries are increasingly becoming borderless, available literature indicates that international trade is still faced with a myriad of challenges among them non-tariff-barriers (NTBs) with EAC not being an exception. This research project titled “non-tariff barriers in East African Community and free trade between Kenya and Tanzania” therefore endeavored to assess the status of implementation of the East Africa Common Market (EACM) Protocol goals, examine the existing trade barriers in East Africa Common Market, and explore how NTBs affect Kenya-Tanzania free trade and the EAC in general. Exploratory research was adopted for this study where data collected from the sampled 25 key informants, various publications and annual reports was qualitatively analyzed and presented. The findings have indicated that the EACM Protocol goals are yet to be fully implemented whereas there exists a number of unresolved NTBs within EAC including high taxation, corruption on the major roads, delays in licensing and permit issuance, administrative requirements, lack of common currency, conflicting policies and regulations, and lack of political goodwill by member countries. The effects of these NTBs include competition among member states who in most instances institute NTBs that undermine regionalism, high costs of doing business within the region and ultimately low Intra EAC trade volumes.