The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced that import license and permit applications for jute products will now be fully automated, a move aimed at making it easier for traders and improving efficiency in the sector.
The announcement follows the gazettement of jute as a scheduled crop under Gazette notice number 14820 of November 15, 2024, tasking AFA with the development, regulation, and promotion of jute in Kenya.
In a notice released on November 18, 2025, AFA’s Director General, Bruno Linyir,u said the automation will be carried out through the Authority’s Integrated Management Information System (AFA-IMIS) and the KENTRADE Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), with the systems going live on 1st January 2026.
“This initiative is part of our efforts to streamline import processes and enhance trade efficiency in Kenya,” he said. “Stakeholders will now be able to apply for jute import licenses and permits electronically, reducing paperwork and unnecessary delays.”
Under the new system, import license applications will be processed through the AFA-IMIS portal, while permit applications will be handled via the KENTRADE TFP platform.
Both portals are accessible online at AFA-IMIS and KENTRADE TFP, and the Authority has set up an email contact, [email protected], for guidance or clarification.
The automation aligns with Kenya Vision 2030 goals of modernizing agricultural regulation, improving transparency, and supporting value addition across key crops.
By moving away from manual processes, the Authority expects faster approvals, fewer errors, and better tracking of imported jute products, which will make the trade more predictable and competitive.
Automation is expected to improve compliance, enhance data collection, and allow the Authority to make more informed policy decisions, all while supporting the growth of the jute sector.
With the January 2026 rollout, AFA hopes to provide traders, importers, and regulatory officials with a more efficient, transparent, and reliable framework for managing jute imports, helping to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural trade and promote sustainable development of the sector.
The regulation of jute products in Kenya focuses on development, production, processing, and marketing through the Crops Act,2013, and the Crops (Fibre Crops and Crop Fibres)Regulations,2025(draft)
