Tanzania unveils one-stop port office in Kigali to fast-track cargo clearance

Kigali. Tanzania and Rwanda have cemented their longstanding diplomatic and economic ties with the launch of a Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) liaison office in Kigali to expedite cargo clearance and reduce trade barriers between the two East African neighbours.

The inauguration, held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, coincided with the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) ministerial session reflecting a growing commitment to economic integration within the East African Community (EAC).

The newly unveiled TPA office is designed to serve as a one-stop shop for Rwandan traders, enabling them to access port services without the need to travel to Dar es Salaam or other Tanzanian ports.

By localising services, the facility is expected to reduce logistical bottlenecks, and enhance trade efficiency between the two countries.

Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb Olivier Nduhungirehe, described the development as “a game-changer,” citing that over 70 per cent of Rwanda’s maritime imports are handled through the Port of Dar es Salaam.

“The Kigali liaison office brings our ports closer to Rwandan traders, ensuring quicker cargo processing and fewer costs,” he noted.

The establishment of the TPA office forms part of two landmark agreements signed during the JPC.

The second is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation, aimed at fostering mutual growth in agribusiness, improving food security, and enhancing technology transfer.

Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who led the Tanzanian delegation, hailed the agreements as a testament to the strategic alignment between the two countries.

“Rwanda is not only a trading partner but also a brotherly nation. These agreements reflect our shared vision for prosperity, peace and regional development,” said Amb Kombo.

Preparatory meeting

The Tanzanian delegation arrived earlier in the week to prepare for high-level deliberations, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Amb Said Shaib Mussa.

At a preparatory meeting on July 24, Amb Mussa said there was a need for integrity and national commitment in driving forward bilateral cooperation.

“The JPC is not only a platform for reviewing past agreements but a strategic tool for charting a new course of collaboration,” he said.

The Kigali 16^th JPC session built on the momentum established by the 15^th meeting, held in Dar es Salaam in 2021, and the 14th in Rubavu, Rwanda in 2016.

Each session has progressively tackled barriers to trade, investment, and regional infrastructure development, especially projects along the Central Corridor, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Isaka and Kigali.

Amb Kombo reiterated the significance of timely implementation of agreed resolutions and stressed the need for technical teams and institutions to deliver results.

He cited the TPA liaison office as an example of how strategic cooperation can translate into practical benefits for citizens.

For Rwanda, Tanzania remains a vital conduit for maritime trade and a major source of key imports, including agricultural produce such as rice.

In 2024 alone, Rwanda imported goods worth $727 million, with Tanzania playing a central role in supplying essential commodities despite a slight year-on-year decline in total imports.

The newly signed agricultural cooperation agreement is expected to unlock new commercial avenues by promoting innovation, joint research, and cross-border agribusiness ventures.

The JPC preparatory meeting reviewed the progress of previous resolutions, including the Rusumo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), the Rusumo hydroelectric power project, and regional connectivity through road and rail infrastructure.

The Tanzanian side emphasised the importance of activating dormant MoUs and ensuring the continuity of dialogue at the highest levels.

As regional integration gains traction under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, the Tanzania–Rwanda partnership is increasingly being seen as a model of effective bilateral cooperation.

The liaison office in Kigali is not just a bureaucratic addition but a strategic pivot towards reducing trade friction and fostering cross-border economic synergy.