Over 70% of Rwanda’s Imports Routed Through Dar es Salaam Port, Strengthening Tanzania-Rwanda Trade Ties
In a major boost to regional trade, over 70% of Rwanda’s imports are routed through the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania. This critical partnership has been reaffirmed with the signing of two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Tanzania and Rwanda, solidifying their long-standing economic collaboration.
New MoUs Strengthen Trade Cooperation
The MoUs, signed on July 26, 2025, during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kigali, emphasize the importance of the Dar es Salaam Port in facilitating Rwanda’s imports. Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, were at the forefront of the agreement.
“Over 70% of Rwanda’s cargo passes through the Dar es Salaam Port, making Tanzania an indispensable trade partner,” stated Minister Nduhungirehe. The agreements aim to strengthen logistics, enhance agricultural cooperation, and improve business operations between the two nations.
Strengthening Logistics and Economic Ties
The two new MoUs include one focused on agricultural collaboration and the other on the establishment of a Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Liaison Office in Kigali. This office will improve logistics coordination, streamline operations, and address delays, particularly in Rwanda, a landlocked nation that depends on Tanzania’s port for access to international markets.
Key goods such as fuel, construction materials, industrial inputs, and food products are part of the annual imports valued at over $650 million through the Dar es Salaam route. Tanzania is Rwanda’s second-largest import source in East Africa, following China.
Enhancing Regional Economic Integration
Minister Kombo emphasized that the new agreements reflect a shared vision of deeper integration and economic transformation. By investing in infrastructure projects like the Rusumo Hydropower Project, One-Stop Border Posts (OSBP), and the proposed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), both countries are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and competitive regional economy.
The agricultural MoU aims to boost food security, research, and agribusiness investments, as well as focus on initiatives like irrigation and crop value addition. The TPA Liaison Office in Kigali will serve as a bridge between Rwandan importers and Tanzanian port authorities, improving real-time cargo tracking and overcoming logistical challenges.
Looking to the Future
As both nations deepen their partnership, the commitment to accelerating bilateral projects and enhancing regional cooperation within the East African Community (EAC) framework remains a top priority. The new MoUs mark a milestone in Rwanda-Tanzania trade relations, ensuring sustained economic growth and a more integrated regional market.