NACADA’s Digital Licensing Overhaul: What Alcohol Importers Need to Know

Effective October 1 2025, all importers and exporters of alcoholic beverages and related products will be required to seek their licensing and consignment documentation via the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP).
The change was announced by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on Tuesday, August 26, marking a milestone in the government’s efforts to streamline trade processes.
As a result of the new shift, importers, exporters and and clearing agents in the alcoholic drinks and beverages sector will now be required to process their licenses and permitsthrough a centralised online system.
The shift to Trade Facilitation Platform has been deliberately designed to eliminate delays,reduce manyal paperworkand minimise inefficiencies which are traditionally associated with the licensing process.
By moving to an automated and digitised workflow, the government seeks to improve coordination across partner agencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
According to NACADA, all fees and charges related to NACADA’s import and export licensing will remain under the current legal framework. Stakeholders have also been reassured that the shift to the digital system would not result in additional costs.
Further, all payments will continue to be processed through the eCitizen platform, which has been fully integrated into the Trade Facilitation Platform for convenience and security.
For licenses issued before the October 1 deadline, they will remain valid for the entire duration originally specified at the time they were issued.
Details of the pre-existing licenses will, however, have to be entered into the TFP system to ensure they align with the new automated workflows. to allow for easy generation of consignment documents and enhance efficiency of cargo clearance. The TFP system is also expected to eliminate the cumbersome manual release process.
By leveraging in the TFP system, NACADA hopes the transition will help in better tracking and data sharing between relevant government bodies, thus enforcing proper standards in the alcohol trade.
Stakeholders have been urged to familiarise themselves with the TFP system ahead of the transition date, with NACADA stating that late onboarding and training can potentially lead todisruptions in licensing and cargo clearance operationsonce the new system goes live.
The agency also announced its preparation in providing technical assistance and support to affected parties ahead of the transition through training materials, user guides and help desks set to be made available to ensure a smooth transition.