Rwanda and Tanzania have agreed to bring port services closer to Rwandan importers by signing a key trade agreement that will allow the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to open a liaison office in Kigali.
The deal was sealed on Saturday, July 26, 2025, during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held in Kigali. The move is expected to make it easier and faster for Rwandan businesses to clear cargo arriving from overseas through Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania — Rwanda’s main maritime gateway.
Helping Traders Cut Costs and Time
Under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Rwandan importers will no longer need to travel to Tanzania to process their shipping documents or follow up on cargo clearance. All that work will now be done at the TPA office in Kigali.
The new system is expected to reduce the cost of doing business, cut delays, and remove many of the hurdles that have slowed down trade between the two neighbours.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olivier Nduhungirehe, said the deal marks a new phase in trade relations between both countries.
“We value our partnership with Tanzania, which helps us handle over 70 percent of our imports through the Port of Dar es Salaam,” he said.
“This MoU will help remove delays, cut costs, and make our trade more efficient.”
Strong Trade Ties Between Rwanda and Tanzania
Tanzania is Rwanda’s second-biggest source of imports, accounting for about 15 percent of Rwanda’s total imports in the last three years. Key items imported from Tanzania include rice, agricultural products, and consumer goods.
The Port of Dar es Salaam plays a key role in Rwanda’s economy, as the country is landlocked and depends on neighbouring ports for access to international markets.
By opening a port office in Kigali, Tanzania is showing strong support for regional trade and faster cargo handling — which could also make it more competitive with other regional ports like Mombasa in Kenya.
MoU Also Covers Agriculture
Aside from the port agreement, both countries also signed another MoU to boost agricultural cooperation. This includes plans to share expertise, promote cross-border agribusiness, and support food security initiatives in both countries.
These joint projects are part of wider efforts by the East African Community (EAC) to strengthen intra-African trade, improve regional infrastructure, and reduce non-tariff barriers affecting trade between member states.
Boost for Regional Integration
Analysts say the new TPA liaison office could be a game changer for Rwanda’s logistics system. With fewer trade barriers and faster document processing, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are expected to benefit the most.
The move also strengthens Tanzania’s role as a regional transport and logistics hub, reinforcing the strategic value of the Dar es Salaam Port for landlocked neighbours like Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Trade experts in Kigali welcomed the move and said it aligns with Rwanda’s push to become a regional trade and logistics centre.
The East African region has been working on reducing cargo transit times, cutting down corruption at borders, and improving road and rail links. This latest deal adds another important layer of coordination between two key economies in the region.
What Happens Next?
Officials say the Tanzania Ports Authority will soon set up the office in Kigali and begin working directly with Rwandan businesses. It will help track shipments, process import documents, and support traders who need information about port procedures.
The new setup is expected to also increase transparency and efficiency in cargo handling and allow authorities to monitor trade data more closely.
As both countries continue to explore deeper cooperation in trade, transport, and agriculture, the TPA office in Kigali is a clear sign of their commitment to building a more connected East Africa.
