The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has convened the second Application Programming Interface (API) masterclass edition, underscoring its commitment to partnerships with the tech developer community for co-creation of simplified service solutions as part of its larger digital transformation agenda.
KRA is the first public sector institution that has built a platform that enables businesses and other private sector players to seamlessly integrate with its ecosystem.
The GavaConnect Enterprise API platform has exposed 16 APIs and registered over 1000 developers, reflecting a strong industry interest in tax-tech innovation.
Speaking at the event, KRA’s Deputy Commissioner for Program Delivery & Client Engagement Annastacia Githuba noted that GavaConnect is a major milestone in the public sector, marking a decisive leap forward in Kenya’s tax digitization agenda—one that places developers, innovators, and private sector partners at the heart of building solutions that make tax compliance simpler, faster, and more accessible for all.
“This event marks a great opportunity for us at KRA to open up to the wider tech community,” stated Githuba, adding that KRA, a representative of the government, is setting the pace by making government services accessible in ways that allow developers to integrate them into innovative solutions.
She stressed that the initiative is not just about tax collection but also about creating opportunities for developers to build, innovate, and even monetise around KRA products, helping the tax head to improve services from the ground up.
Meanwhile, the platform offers a growing library of APIs, such as the PIN and Tax Compliance Certificate checkers, NIL Return filing, and an e-Slip checker, all designed to improve taxpayer experience, support compliance, and enhance efficiency.
Further, the Masterclass, which brought developers together for a hands-on and collaborative forum, also included an EAPI vision briefing, API demonstrations, and a feedback session where attendees gave input on their experience and suggested features for future APIs.
Similarly, the session was framed to support all interested developers, whether onboarding for the first time or building advanced solutions that support taxpayers in the country.
Looking ahead, KRA plans to extend GavaConnect’s reach to key initiatives like the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) and enhanced VAT compliance tools to streamline VAT and other tax compliance processes for customers.
Additionally, integrating such services via APIs will further simplify compliance and reporting for businesses, tying back to KRA’s goal to simplify compliance and embrace new technologies.
Therefore, the API Masterclass series is a concrete step in that direction, cementing KRA’s partnership with Kenya’s tech community to co-design the future of tax administration.
By Michael Omondi
