Project profile — Improving Border Management to Reduce Trade Costs in East Africa

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) integrated border management processes used at selected border posts, in tandem with targeted gender activities; and (2) one-stop border policy and procedures agreed.

Results achieved up to the end of the project (December 2019) include: (1) an average reduction of 70% in border crossing times at select EAC borders; (2) an 80% reduction in documentary requirements for the release of exports/imports; (3) a reduction in turnaround times from 21 days to 4 days along the Northern Corridor (Mombasa to Kigali), and 25 days to 5 days along the Central Corridor (Dar es Salaam to Bujumbura); (4) a reduction in cargo clearance times from 2 days to 8 hours for fuel, and 3 days to 12 hours for other products; (5) a 47% increase in traffic volume thus increasing government revenues at select borders; and (6) inter-state cooperation was strengthened between multiple government agencies and private sector players operating at the 14 border posts. Gender equality oriented results include: (1) institutionalization of structured dialogue between women traders and border officials through the Joint Border Committees (JBCs); (2) launch of cross-border charters which define the rights and responsibilities of all traders and border officials and provide accountability mechanisms towards improving the trading environment, especially for women; and (3) provision of space for information centers and warehouses, which meet the specific needs of women traders.