East Africa Trade Systems
Menu

Systems compared

Electronic single windows compared: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania

Last checked 24 October 2026 · 10 sources

Short answer

Four countries have documented electronic single windows. Kenya TradeNet, run by KenTrade, was launched in May 2014 1,2. The Uganda Electronic Single Window was launched on 4 November 2016 3. The Rwanda Electronic Single Window was introduced in 2012 4. Tanzania reports its single window project to the WTO, with full implementation agreed for 30 December 2028 5. Sources differ on the number of agencies in the Kenyan system 1,2.
Kenya
Kenya TradeNet System, KenTrade, May 2014 2
Uganda
Uganda Electronic Single Window, launched 4 November 2016 3
Rwanda
Rwanda Electronic Single Window, introduced 2012 4
Tanzania
TeSWS, full implementation date 30 December 2028 5
Kenya fees
Free since 2013, draft fee regulations of 2025 under public consultation 6
Uganda customs link
Interfaces with ASYCUDA World 7

Single windows side by side

Burundi, the DRC, South Sudan and Somalia are not in the table. No official record of a national single window for them was read for this page.

CountrySystemRun byLaunchedAgencies
Kenya 2Kenya TradeNet System, named NESWS in a KenTrade notice 2,6KenTrade 2May 2014 241 of 48 stakeholders per WTO, more than 35 of 42 per KenTrade 1,2
Uganda 3Uganda Electronic Single Window 3Ministry of Trade with URA as host 34 November 2016 38 in phase one 3
Rwanda 4Rwanda Electronic Single Window 4Not stated. RRA was a pilot user 8Pilot 7 February 2012 85 in the pilot 8
Tanzania 5TeSWS, incorporated in the enhanced TANCIS 5Tanzania Revenue Authority, through TANCIS 9Enhanced TANCIS with TeSWS, January 2025 540 regulatory authorities 5

Kenya: TradeNet

KenTrade says the system was launched in Nairobi in May 2014 during a regional heads of state summit 2. It reports more than 10,000 registered users. It connects to banks and mobile payments through the KRA iTax system and the eCitizen platform 2.

KenTrade reports that manifest preparation fell from 2 to 3 days to about 15 minutes for larger agents with automated systems 2. These are agency figures, not audited results 2.

A KenTrade public notice says the system was rolled out in 2013 and its services have been free since then. KenTrade plans a nominal charge and has put Draft Fee Reduction and Exemption Regulations, 2025 out for public participation 6. The 2013 rollout date in the notice differs from the May 2014 launch date on the system page 6,2.

Uganda: UESW

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and URA launched the system in Kampala on 4 November 2016. Denmark funded phase one with a US$5 million grant through TradeMark Africa and gave another US$5 million for phase two 3. Phase one linked eight agencies, including URA, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the National Drug Authority 3.

A URA Taxman article lists 19 agencies. It reports import clearance time falling from 744 hours in 2015 to 24 hours in 2020, and required documents falling from 10 to 3 10. URA says the single window works through ASYCUDA World 7.

Rwanda: ReSW

The pilot was launched on 7 February 2012 at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Pilot users were RRA, the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Development Board, the Rwanda Bureau of Standards and MAGERWA 8. Full rollout was planned for May 2012 8. Rwanda told the WTO the system was introduced in 2012 and evaluated in early 2015 4.

Tanzania: TeSWS

The WTO record says phase two was complete and phase three in its final stage, per a progress report of 2 June 2023. It lists 40 government regulatory authorities onboarded 5. The 2023 report gives 877 of 1,268 clearing agents registered. The later extension request says all clearing and forwarding agents are registered 5.

The original definitive date was 30 December 2025. Tanzania asked for an extension on 1 October 2025, and 30 December 2028 was agreed. The African Development Bank is the donor 5.

Common questions

What is Kenya's single window called?

The Kenya TradeNet System, run by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) 2.

When did Uganda launch its single window?

On 4 November 2016, in Kampala 3.

Does Tanzania have a single window?

Yes, TeSWS. The WTO record says it is incorporated in the enhanced TANCIS, with full implementation agreed for 30 December 2028 5.

Is Kenya's single window free?

KenTrade says services have been free since 2013 and it plans a nominal charge under draft regulations of 2025 6.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].

Sources

  1. WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Kenya, Operation of the single window (accessed 24 October 2026)
  2. Kenya Trade Network Agency: Single Window System (accessed 24 October 2026)
  3. TradeMark Africa: Uganda launches Electronic Single Window, edges closer to paperless trade (8 November 2016)
  4. WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Rwanda, Operation of the single window (accessed 24 October 2026)
  5. WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Tanzania, Article 10.4 Single Window, technical assistance record (accessed 24 October 2026)
  6. Kenya Trade Network Agency: Public Notice, Public Participation, Draft NESWS Fee Reduction and Exemption Regulations 2025 (home page, accessed 24 October 2026)
  7. Uganda Revenue Authority: How is Uganda Electronic Single Window structured, How does the Uganda Electronic Single Window operate, What is Asycuda World (undated, accessed 24 October 2026)
  8. TradeMark Africa: press release on the Rwanda electronic single window pilot launch, Kigali (7 February 2012)
  9. Tanzania Revenue Authority: The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has launched the enhanced TANCIS and New website (20 January 2025)
  10. Uganda Revenue Authority, The Taxman, compiled by Akinyi Winiefred: Understanding the Uganda Electronic Single Window (undated, accessed 24 October 2026)

Related