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The EAC Secretary General, Veronica M. Nduva, has called on Partner States to adopt AI and advanced technologies to enhance customs efficiency and combat illicit trade.

The East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Veronica M. Nduva, has called on EAC Partner States’ customs authorities to adopt cutting-edge tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve customs procedures across the region.

Speaking at the International Customs Day celebrations at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, Nduva highlighted the role of AI in combating illicit trade within the bloc. She also urged customs authorities to simplify customs procedures and communicate them in a way that stakeholders and the general public can easily understand.

“Integration in East Africa is about the people at the grassroots,” she said.

The Secretary General (SG) stressed the need for customs personnel to increase public awareness of their work, as customs officers have evolved into key trade facilitators, ensuring goods security and revenue protection.

“Their responsibilities now encompass raising public awareness and building capacity to promote a deeper understanding of trade regulations and fostering greater cooperation among stakeholders,” Nduva said.

She noted that the Customs Union, the first pillar of EAC integration, has successfully reduced trade barriers, strengthened economic cooperation, and enhanced the movement of goods among Partner States.

Nduva revealed that the efficiency of the EAC Customs system has led to the elimination of intra-regional tariffs, enabling free trade among Partner States.

“Intra-EAC trade has grown significantly due to reduced trade barriers. The EAC Trade and Investment Report shows rising trade volumes, with key exports including agricultural products, manufactured goods, and petroleum products,” she stated.

The Secretary General (SG) further disclosed that EAC’s total trade with the rest of the world increased from USD 78.7 billion in 2022 to USD 80.6 billion in 2023. She also noted that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surged from USD 3.7 billion in 2013 to USD 12.9 billion in 2021, demonstrating growing confidence in the region’s trade systems.

Nduva highlighted the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and digital customs systems as key drivers of efficiency in the bloc. She noted that the EAC’s Common External Tariff (CET) has played a crucial role in regulating imports and protecting local industries. The STR has further eased the clearance process for small-scale cross-border traders handling goods valued below USD 2,000.

“The introduction of regional electronic cargo tracking systems (RECTS) and the Single Customs Territory (SCT) has reduced smuggling and increased tax revenues. Digital systems have improved customs efficiency and transparency,” she said.

The SG reiterated that the EAC is actively working to eliminate Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), bureaucratic hurdles, and restrictive trade policies. She pointed out that a dedicated online NTB Monitoring Mechanism allows businesses to report and resolve trade challenges efficiently.

Speaking at the event, Charles Rubaale Mwebembezi, President of the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations, pledged the private sector’s commitment to auditing customs systems to improve efficiency. “We will advocate for the simplification of customs procedures, the elimination of delays, the eradication of corruption, and a private-public partnership approach to resolving customs challenges,” he stated.

On his part, Alban Odhiambo, Senior Advisor for Trade and Infrastructure at the Tony Blair Institute, emphasised the need for a mindset change even as Africa adopts new trade technologies. “Challenges such as truck congestion and delays at border posts persist, even where advanced technology has been introduced,” he observed.

The forum also featured virtual addresses from Dan Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), and Celine Bacrot, Economic Affairs Officer, Trade Facilitation Section, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Annette Ssemumwemba, EAC Deputy SG in charge of Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs, Flavia Busingye, EAC Director of Customs, representatives of partner organisations, and staff from EAC Organs and Institutions. The event underscored the growing role of technology, policy reforms, and stakeholder collaboration in shaping a more efficient and integrated East African trade environment.