NACADA Introduces New Alcohol Licensing Rules

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has announced new rules governing the import and export of alcoholic beverages.

In a statement issued on October 1, NACADA announced the transition of the licensing process to Kenya’s National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS), managed by KenTrade.

Effective immediately, all applications for alcohol-related import and export licenses, as well as consignment documents and permits, will be processed exclusively through the digital platform.

“This integration is part of a national initiative aimed at streamlining trade processes, enhancing transparency, and strengthening regulatory oversight,” NACADA said in a joint public notice.

The shift means that traders will now be required to use the NESWS through the eCitizen portal to apply for all relevant documentation.

This includes the Master Document/Import License and clearance permits for shipments involving alcoholic beverages or related products.

Why Alcohol Licensing System

NACADA explained that the new system will reduce manual processing delays, automate workflows, and improve compliance across agencies.

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“The move will centralize clearance of all alcoholic beverages and related products under NACADA, reduce manual processing and delays through automated workflows, and improve compliance and data integrity across agencies,” the agency stated.

All existing fees and licensing terms will remain unchanged.

“All fees related to licensing remain unchanged and will continue to be governed by existing legal provisions,” the notice confirmed.

However, the mode of payment will change since all payments must now be made through the eCitizen platform, which is fully integrated with the NESWS.

Importers, exporters, and customs agents will need to log in to the NESWS to initiate the clearance process for alcoholic beverages once the goods arrive at the port.

Details of all issued licenses will be uploaded into the system using an approved format to facilitate online processing and inter-agency coordination.

Any licenses issued before October 1, 2025, will remain valid for their originally intended duration.

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“Details of such licenses will be uploaded into the NESWS… to enable the continued use of pre-existing pre-clearance documents,” NACADA stated.

Onboarding Process

The onboarding process is designed to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the alcohol trade in Kenya, while ensuring that regulatory agencies have improved visibility into compliance.

In preparation for the transition, NACADA is urging all stakeholders, including importers, customs brokers, and logistics providers, to familiarize themselves with the NESWS system.

The agency has committed to supporting users through the onboarding process and will provide the necessary guidance where required.

“Stakeholders are urged to familiarize themselves with the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS) in readiness for onboarding,” the notice read in part.

For more information, stakeholders are advised to contact NACADA or KenTrade directly.

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