The government is planning major changes to how manufacturers import raw materials, in a move expected to lower production costs and improve efficiency for local industries.

According to Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, the government is considering reforms to the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) exemption framework. The proposed changes are meant to make it easier and faster for manufacturers to bring in duty-free raw materials, machinery, and spare parts.

This move is part of wider efforts to support local businesses by reducing delays and costs associated with import procedures. The PVoC is a quality inspection system that ensures products meet Kenyan standards before they reach the country’s ports. However, manufacturers have long raised concerns over inefficiencies and irregular application of the exemption process.

“By easing regulatory bottlenecks and prioritising quality as a national goal, we aim to create a supportive environment for local businesses, drive innovation, and promote inclusive economic growth,” said Kinyanjui.

The planned changes are expected to enhance the import process for critical production inputs, providing relief to industries that have faced long-standing challenges with the system.

Kinyanjui also urged manufacturers to embrace higher quality standards, including pursuing the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)’ Diamond Mark of Quality.

He said this mark is key to boosting Kenya’s global competitiveness and unlocking wider trade opportunities.

“Through the quality management frameworks of the Kenya Bureau of Standards, we empower Kenyan industries to compete on a global scale. This, in turn, attracts foreign investment and positions Kenya as a hub for quality-driven development in Africa,” he added.

The CS further encouraged local manufacturers to work closely with KEBS to enhance their production quality and build capacity, especially in light of opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said the Diamond Mark of Quality, introduced in 1996, has so far been awarded to 1,263 products, both local and international. She emphasised that earning the mark was not the final goal, and called for continued efforts to strengthen Kenya’s certification standards.

She noted that the certification process should be aligned with global benchmarks such as ISO/IEC 17065:2012, and reinforced through consistent surveillance, compliance checks, and performance audits to maintain the integrity of the mark.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Industry, Juma Mukhwana, also spoke in support of the reforms. He noted that regional quality standards are now more harmonised, giving locally certified products a competitive advantage in regional markets—especially those with the Diamond Mark of Quality.