In a strategic step to boost regional trade efficiency, Rwanda and Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday, 26 July, to establish a Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) liaison office in Kigali.
The agreement, signed during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kigali, aims to streamline logistics and facilitate smoother cargo clearance for Rwandan traders using the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The new liaison office will allow Rwandan importers to process shipping documentation and clear goods without needing to travel to Tanzania, a change expected to reduce costs, ease bottlenecks, and accelerate trade flows between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasised the importance of the partnership:
“We value our partnership with Tanzania, which facilitates over 70% of our maritime cargo through the Port of Dar es Salaam. This MoU will streamline logistics, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance trade efficiency.”
Nduhungirehe also highlighted Tanzania’s importance as Rwanda’s second-largest source of imports, contributing 15% of total imports over the past three years. Key imports include rice and other agricultural commodities.
In addition to the ports MoU, both countries signed an agreement to deepen agricultural cooperation, further underlining their commitment to advancing mutual development through trade and sectoral integration.
The establishment of the TPA liaison office in Kigali marks a significant step toward more integrated trade infrastructure in East Africa, improving access to international markets for Rwanda while reinforcing Tanzania’s strategic role as a regional logistics hub.
Source: Further Africa
