Kenya is going to disrupt marine cargo insurance by making it fully digital for all importers from February 14, 2025. Under the new rule importers will have to get marine insurance from local insurers online before getting customs clearance.
Some might see this as an extra step but this is the culmination of policies that started with the Finance Act of 2017 which required all cargo coming into Kenya to be insured locally. The digital shift is meant to simplify compliance and strengthen the insurance industry.
How the Digital Marine Insurance Works
The system brings together key players:
✔ Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA)
✔ Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
✔ Insurance underwriters
The process is built around the Import Declaration Form (IDF), a paperless, seamless workflow. Importers and clearing agents must:
1️⃣ Get their IDF via approved platforms (M-PESA Super App, web portals, or insurance platforms).
2️⃣ Fill the digital Marine Cargo Insurance Certificate.
3️⃣ Pay the premium.
4️⃣ Submit the certificate to the IRA platform.
5️⃣ The system will automatically send it to KRA’s ICMS.
Where to Get Digital Marine Insurance?
Kenya has put the service on multiple digital platforms to make it easier for importers to comply. These are:
- M-PESA Super App (via Coral Mini App)
- Web portals of approved insurers
- Dedicated insurance underwriter platforms
Why This Matters
🔹 Simplifies compliance – No paperwork, no delays.
🔹 Strengthen the insurance industry – Keep insurance revenue in Kenya.
🔹 Boost trade efficiency – Faster clearance through seamless integration.
🔹 Transparency – Reduce cargo insurance fraud.
By requiring local digital insurance coverage Kenya is digitizing import processes and keeping marine cargo insurance under local control. A big step in using technology for trade and growing the local insurance industry.