The East African Community (EAC) has saved over $63 million annually and reduced border crossing times by 70% through the establishment of more than 15 One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), Secretary General Veronica Nduva announced.
Speaking at the launch of the revamped Single Customs Territory (SCT) Centralized Platform, Nduva emphasized that improved digital and physical infrastructure has streamlined cross-border trade, lowered transaction costs, and enhanced regional integration.
The SCT Centralized Platform, first implemented in 2017, enables real-time customs data exchange between EAC partner states, minimizing clearance delays. Upgrades in 2023 expanded support for maritime trade, Regional Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), and clearing agents, while a 2024 enhancement introduced scanner image sharing between Kenya and Uganda to increase transparency and efficiency.
Since 2007, the EAC has resolved 274 non-tariff barriers (NTBs), while digital innovations like the NTB App and the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) have improved cargo monitoring, reducing transit delays and security risks. Currently, customs systems in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi are linked, with further integration efforts underway to include additional EAC partner states and trade agencies.