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Kenya's mandatory Advance Cargo Declaration enters carrier-enforcement phase from 1 September 2026

The Kenya Revenue Authority launched a mandatory Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform for all containerized cargo destined for Kenyan ports, effective 3 August 2026. A 15-digit ACD Reference Number must be obtained before cargo loading and endorsed on the Bill of Lading, generated after uploading a draft Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export declaration to acd.kra.go.ke. Maersk's revised advisory states that from 1 September 2026 vessel carriers will be required to validate the ACD Reference Number prior to loading and load containers only when a valid number has been obtained. The requirement applies to containerized sea cargo, not air freight.

Maersk – Revised ACD Update for Imports into Kenya

AfCFTA Secretariat signs US$3.1bn, 20-year continental customs modernisation concession

The AfCFTA Secretariat signed a 20-year, US$3.1 billion customs modernisation concession with Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited in Abuja on 6 August 2026, covering about 50 countries. Bergmans finances the full amount, with the Secretariat stating member states take on no additional financial obligation. The project covers non-intrusive inspection technology, integrated data centres and multilingual customs portals, with deployment planned in at least six countries first before wider expansion.

Rio Times – AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Concession

West African ports remain severely congested, with Guinea Conakry and Lagos leading global delays

Kuehne+Nagel's weekly port update (5–11 August 2026) reported Guinea Conakry vessel waiting times around 13.6 days amid limited dry, reefer and empty container storage, and Ghana Tema around 5.55 days. Kenya Mombasa was reported around 5.17 days, driven by truck evacuation constraints and container imbalances. Separately, market reporting placed Lagos (Apapa/Tin Can) anchorage waits at 14–21 days, citing carriers reallocating vessels toward higher-profit US and Europe routes and reducing West Africa capacity.

Kuehne+Nagel – Port operational updates (5–11 August 2026)