Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission have created a joint Technical Working Group to draft a Mutual Recognition Agreement for radioanalysis certification of food products.

The two agencies met for a week in Nairobi, presenting several proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation before an anticipated memorandum of understanding is signed.

Director General of KNRA James Keter and his Tanzanian counterpart Prof Najat Kassim Mohammed indicated the group has a three-month timeframe to finish its task.

Keter said, “There has been hue and cry over trade barriers, which we are determined to help eliminate,” adding that the work will lead to a signing of a memorandum of understanding between the agencies.

The initiative aligns with wider attempts to boost economic ties and remove non-tariff obstacles that have slowed trade within the East African Community.

Bilateral trade between Kenya and Tanzania amounted to $860.3 million (about KSh111.1 billion) in the previous year, covering all goods.

Food items constitute a significant share of this trade, with Kenya importing agricultural produce from Tanzania and Kenyan manufacturers supplying food and other products to the Tanzanian market.

Divergent certification rules and regulatory steps often create extra administrative burdens for traders moving goods across the border.

Radioanalysis testing detects radioactive substances in materials, including food, and helps regulators confirm compliance with radiation safety standards.

By recognising each other’s radioanalysis certificates, the proposed framework seeks to streamline procedures and avoid unnecessary duplication.

While the agreement focuses on radioanalysis, its rollout is expected to support broader regulatory coordination and make cross-border trade more predictable for businesses.

The success of the effort will hinge on the working group’s capacity to agree on practical steps that both nations can apply while upholding internationally accepted safety norms.

Persistent bottlenecks in cross-border trade within the East African Community continue to raise transport costs, delay deliveries and risk spoilage of perishable goods, according to experts.

Although regional programmes aim to harmonise trade processes, effective implementation of agreed policies remains a key challenge.