Effect of Trade Facilitation Strategies on Intra-africa Trade: the Case of Government Ministries in Kenya

Abstract

The study was to investigate effect of trade facilitation strategies on intra-Africa trade in government ministries in Kenya. The study was carried out at government ministries, targeting a population of 22 government ministries. Descriptive research was used in which semi structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Descriptive research was used for the study where the researcher used semi structured questionnaire. The study found that most of the government ministries engage in intra –Africa trade .Intra- Africa trade is able to boost the commerce level among the African countries but also acts as an important activity to achieve local coordination and quickening manageable and comprehensive advancement in Africa. Government ministries have transparency to a moderate extent making the government to promote openness and accountability in the state administrative actions and these results in increased flow of business within and outside the national boundaries. The government processes are harmonized to moderate extent ensuring that all the procedures and documentation is done with the help of international standards and practices .The researcher found out that cooperation between government bodies and business community on matters aimed at improving level of trade is high and ministries have standardized formats for procedures that are in line with member trading countries. The research identified various effects of intra-Africa trade as a result of adoption of trade facilitation indicates that there was an increase in investment, export and cross border services. The study recommends that there is need for government ministries and departments to adopt the trade facilitation strategies to increase investment, export and import in the country. A similar study should be done on other parastatal and private sectors. The study recommends that a further study should be carried out to establish the challenges facing implementation of trade facilitation strategies in government ministries.