Tanzania and Rwanda have reaffirmed their growing economic partnership with the signing of two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), underscoring the pivotal role of the Dar es Salaam Port, which currently handles more than 70% of Rwanda’s imports.
The agreements—focused on agricultural cooperation and the establishment of a Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Liaison Office in Kigali—were inked during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held in Kigali on July 26. Signatories included Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe.
“Dar es Salaam is not just a gateway for Rwanda; it is a strategic artery for our trade with the region,” said Minister Nduhungirehe. “The new TPA office in Kigali will reduce logistical delays, improve cargo tracking, and enhance coordination with port authorities.”
The agreements come at a time when Tanzania is accelerating infrastructure upgrades at the Dar es Salaam Port, including deepening berths, expanding storage capacity, digitizing cargo handling, and improving rail and road connectivity to inland markets. These efforts aim to position the port as a more efficient and competitive alternative to Kenya’s Mombasa Port, which has traditionally dominated trade in the Great Lakes region.
As competition intensifies, especially with the resurgence of Mombasa’s port reforms and SGR operations into Nairobi and Naivasha, Dar es Salaam is banking on speed, cost efficiency, and streamlined cross-border coordination to capture a larger share of Rwanda-bound and DRC-bound cargo.
Rwanda’s position as a logistics hub for eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) adds a new layer of importance to the Tanzania-Rwanda trade corridor. Goods entering through Dar es Salaam increasingly find their way to Goma, Bukavu, and beyond—regions where Rwanda enjoys strong transport and customs linkages.
Minister Kombo highlighted the significance of this corridor: “The Kigali-DRC axis is essential for regional growth. By facilitating faster, more predictable trade flows, our two countries are unlocking access to a vast market.”
Trade data from Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry reveals that goods worth over $650 million were imported via the Dar es Salaam route in 2024. These include fuel, cement, steel, fertilizers, grains, sugar, machinery, and industrial chemicals. Tanzania is Rwanda’s second-largest import source in Africa and plays a vital role in supplying raw materials and inputs to Rwanda’s growing manufacturing and construction sectors.
The MoUs also build on a foundation of shared regional infrastructure. Projects such as the Rusumo Hydropower Plant, the One-Stop Border Post at Rusumo, and the proposed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Isaka to Kigali are redefining regional mobility and energy security.
“The agreements signed today reflect our shared vision for deep integration and economic transformation,” said Kombo. “From port efficiency to food systems resilience, we are investing in a future of mutual prosperity.”
The agricultural cooperation deal includes collaboration on irrigation, agro-processing, seed development, and agribusiness investments—critical as both nations seek to boost food security amid climate uncertainties.
The JPC concluded with a strong pledge to accelerate the implementation of cross-border projects and to enhance coordination under the East African Community (EAC) framework.
As infrastructure improves and coordination deepens, the Dar es Salaam-Kigali route is quickly transforming from a bilateral corridor into a strategic regional trade lifeline, with Rwanda serving as a vital bridge to the mineral-rich, consumer-driven eastern DRC.
This article was published by Githua Kihara, an editorial consultant for FEAFFA’s Freight Logistics Magazine. For any inquiries, please contact us via email at editorial@feaffa.com or freightlogistics@feaffa.com, or reach out to Andrew Onionga directly at onionga@feaffa.com or oningaam@gmail.com / +254733780240.
