ARUSHA: The East African Community (EAC) has handed over 16 Japan-funded patrol vehicles to its eight member states to strengthen border security, curb smuggling and trafficking, and support legitimate trade.
Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda will each receive two vehicles for deployment at designated border areas, including vulnerable crossings.
The handover was marked at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, the Secretariat said in a statement on Saturday.
The Government of Japan funded the vehicles, which were procured by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) under a project to improve border security and create a safer trading and customs environment.
Addressing gaps in border patrols
The vehicles respond to shortcomings identified during EAC technical assessments at One-Stop Border Posts across the region. Those assessments found that inadequate transport restricted patrols and hampered officers’ ability to respond to cross-border crime.
EAC Secretary General Ambassador Stephen Mbundi said the findings prompted the Secretariat to prioritise transport for frontline officers across all eight member states.
“We expect these vehicles to strengthen border operations and contribute to a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade. I urge all Partner States to ensure that the vehicles are deployed exclusively at designated border areas to serve their intended purpose,” he said.
Mbundi said effective border management protects communities from smuggling, trafficking and other transnational crimes while building confidence in the movement of people, goods and investment.
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Burundi was among the first countries to receive its allocation. During an August handover to the Burundi Border Police in Bujumbura, Mbundi said the vehicles would strengthen police presence and enable faster responses.
Linking security and trade
The EAC expects better transport to support more regular patrols and quicker responses to threats. For traders, the intended benefit is a safer and more predictable environment in which to move goods between neighbouring markets.
Jin Hashimoto, head of cooperation at the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, said border management was central to both security and commerce.
“Effective border management is essential not only for preventing illicit activities and ensuring security, but also for facilitating legitimate trade and the movement of people. Japan remains committed to being a trusted partner for African countries, working alongside them in accordance with their needs and priorities,” he said.
Massimo Diana, director of the UNOPS East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office, said the partnership’s value extended beyond supplying equipment.
“The value of this partnership goes beyond the delivery of vehicles. Border security is not only about protecting boundaries; it is about creating the conditions for communities and economies to thrive,” he said.
Diana said the collaboration would strengthen institutions, facilitate legitimate trade and advance economic integration across East Africa.
Faster crossings, persistent bottlenecks
The vehicles form part of a broader effort to improve how the region’s borders operate.
The EAC has established more than 15 One-Stop Border Posts, where officials from neighbouring countries coordinate the clearance of travellers and goods. In January 2025, the Secretariat said these facilities had reduced border-crossing times by 70% and generated annual savings of more than $63 million.
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However, significant obstacles remain.
During visits to the Sirari-Isebania and Busia border posts in July, traders and officials raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure, shortages of cargo scanners, congestion and inconsistent round-the-clock operations.
Mbundi said the bloc needed to “eliminate the administrative and regulatory obstacles that continue to increase the cost and time of doing business”.
“The success of East African integration will not be measured by the number of agreements we conclude,” he said at the time.
The EAC aims to increase trade among its members to 50% of their total trade by 2030. Achieving that target will require improvements in security, infrastructure and customs administration.
Turning regional commitments into practical gains
The handover comes as African regional blocs work to translate trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, into more efficient movement of goods.
Smuggling deprives governments of revenue, while trafficking and other cross-border crimes threaten communities and legitimate businesses. Better-equipped patrol teams could help address those risks, but vehicles alone will not resolve the delays facing traders.
The practical test will be whether the new fleet remains deployed where it is needed and, alongside improvements at border posts, helps make crossings safer, faster and more reliable.
