By Maria Kalamatas | August 1, 2025
Arusha — In a landmark move poised to redefine intra-African logistics, Kenya and Tanzania officially launched a joint customs single window platform this morning, streamlining cross-border freight between Mombasa and Dar es Salaam corridors.
“This is not just a digital tool,” said Dr. Agnes Ndirangu, Deputy Commissioner for Trade Facilitation at the Kenya Revenue Authority. “It’s a commitment to real-time integration between two of East Africa’s biggest economies.”
What changes from today
The platform — live as of 08:00 a.m. East Africa Time — will eliminate duplicative documentation, reduce physical inspections, and synchronize port, border, and inland clearance procedures across the two countries.
Truckers using the system can now move cargo within 28 hours between Nairobi and Dodoma, down from an average of 72–96 hours, previously bogged down by manual customs processes and weighbridge queues.
Backed by regional strategy
The initiative is part of the East African Community (EAC) Digital Corridor Framework, and supported by the African Development Bank, which contributed over $22 million in grant financing.
“Efficient trade doesn’t require a new port — sometimes it just requires countries to talk to each other,” noted Fatma Said, head of the EAC Infrastructure Unit.
Logistics firms already adapting
Ugandan and Rwandan forwarders say the joint window allows for faster route planning and fewer penalties for delays.
“We used to budget 3–4 buffer days for Nairobi–Kigali shipments,” said Pierre Ndikumana, operations head at Great Lakes Freight. “Now we’re looking at shaving off up to 40% in turnaround time.”
Port-based integrators like Bolloré Africa Logistics and CEVA Kenya have already begun syncing their TMS (transport management systems) with the new customs API. A Tanzanian customs official confirmed pre-clearance data is now processed simultaneously by both sides, with “interoperable risk scoring algorithms” helping detect suspicious cargo.
Geopolitical significance
Beyond trade efficiency, the move reflects a thaw in historically tense commercial relations between Kenya and Tanzania.
“Digitization is forcing us to trust one another,” said Julius Mwakibete, Tanzania’s Director of Border Integration. “And with the DRC now a member of the EAC, the timing couldn’t be more critical.”
