KAMPALA, July 24, 2026 — The East African Community [ EAC ] has called for a new generation of border reforms to support the region’s growing trade volumes following a monitoring and fact-finding mission to the Horohoro/Lungalunga and Namanga/Namanga One Stop Border Posts [OSBPs].
The mission, led by the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Annette Ssemuwemba, assessed the performance and operational efficiency of the One Stop Border Posts.
It also reviewed the implementation of the EAC Simplified Trade Regime [STR], examining its effectiveness in facilitating cross-border trade for small-scale traders, improving access to preferential trading arrangements, and enhancing the overall efficiency of border operations.
Speaking during the visit, Ssemuwemba said the One Stop Border Post model had transformed border management in the region but stressed that further reforms were now necessary to keep pace with increasing trade.
“The One Stop Border Posts have delivered tangible benefits in facilitating trade and the movement of people. However, increasing trade volumes require us to modernise our border operations through business process re-engineering, digitalisation, coordinated border management and greater use of risk-based controls.”
She added that the region could no longer rely solely on the physical co-location of government agencies but needed smarter, technology-driven border management systems.
“We must remove the remaining bottlenecks that increase the cost of doing business and undermine the competitiveness of our region.”
The Deputy Secretary General further called on Partner States to strengthen collaboration among border agencies, invest in modern infrastructure, address staffing shortages and accelerate the automation of border processes.
“Efficient borders depend not only on infrastructure but also on effective coordination between agencies, adequate staffing and digital systems that allow cargo and travellers to move quickly and securely across our borders,” Ssemuwemba said.
The assessment established that the two border posts continue to play an increasingly strategic role in facilitating regional trade, with rising cargo volumes, growing numbers of travellers and improved revenue performance reflecting the positive impact of the EAC Customs Union and the One Stop Border Post model.
At the Namanga OSBP, the mission was informed that over the past 12 months the border post had processed approximately 66,500 cargo trucks, 23,000 private vehicles and 48,400 export consignments. Passenger clearance has been reduced to an average of three minutes, while private vehicle clearance now takes an average of 15 minutes. Officials also noted that providing passenger services on a 24-hour basis had significantly improved cross-border mobility.
Similarly, officials at the Horohoro/Lungalunga OSBP reported sustained growth in cargo and passenger traffic, attributing the improvement to stronger collaboration between Kenyan and Tanzanian border agencies.
They added that the growth realised had been driven by better coordination of border clearance processes and enhanced implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime, which continues to support small-scale cross-border traders by simplifying customs procedures and reducing the cost of doing business.
“The continued growth in cargo and passenger traffic demonstrates that closer cooperation between border agencies and simplified customs procedures are delivering real benefits to traders and the regional economy,” officials at the Horohoro/Lungalunga OSBP told the mission.
Despite these achievements, the mission identified a number of operational, policy and infrastructure constraints that continue to undermine the full potential of the OSBPs.
Among the key challenges identified, stakeholders highlighted delays in obtaining approvals and clearances from other government agencies as a major impediment to efficient border operations. Although customs procedures have improved considerably, cargo clearance often depends on approvals from multiple regulatory institutions, resulting in lengthy processing times and avoidable delays for traders and transporters.
Stakeholders also pointed to shortages of customs and border agency personnel, noting that staffing levels are often insufficient to cope with peak traffic volumes. This leads to slower processing of both cargo and passengers, particularly during busy trading periods and seasonal surges.
In addition, stakeholders identified several infrastructure-related constraints, including limited truck parking capacity, particularly during the cereals harvesting season when grain exports increase significantly. Respondents also cited the absence of essential border infrastructure such as non-intrusive cargo scanners and weighbridges.
Border users further expressed concern over ageing facilities, inadequate passenger waiting areas, insufficient sanitation facilities and the absence of dedicated customer help desks, saying these shortcomings reduce the quality and efficiency of border services.
The mission also noted emerging challenges associated with the rapid growth in cross-border trade, including increasing traffic volumes that are beginning to exceed the capacity of existing border infrastructure and operational arrangements.
During a tour of the Namanga OSBP, the delegation welcomed the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania’s allocation of TZS 600 million for the 2026/27 Financial Year towards the construction of a new truck parking yard, describing the investment as an important step in reducing congestion and improving border efficiency.
The monitoring mission will continue to the Kobero/Kabanga, Rusumo/Rusumo, Mirama Hills/Kagitumba and Gatuna/Katuna One Stop Border Posts. Its findings are expected to inform regional policy reforms aimed at strengthening the implementation of the EAC Customs Union, improving border performance and advancing the Community’s objective of increasing intra-EAC trade and regional economic integration.
https://thecooperator.news/cooperative-members-urged-to-become-guardians-of-peace-in-tanzania/
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