- Juba seeks customs cooperation with TRA to unlock access to Tanga and Dar es Salaam, reducing reliance on Mombasa
By Business Insider Reporter
South Sudan has proposed closer customs cooperation with Tanzania in a strategic move that could see the landlocked country channel part of its imports and exports through the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, diversifying its trade routes and reducing overdependence on Kenya’s Mombasa Port.
The proposal was made by South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) Commissioner General William Anyuon Koul during talks with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda on January 22, 2026, following an official visit by a South Sudanese delegation to Dar es Salaam.
At the centre of the discussions was the need to establish a formal customs cooperation framework that would facilitate smooth clearance of goods, data exchange and coordinated border procedures, enabling Tanzanian ports to serve as alternative gateways for South Sudan’s external trade.
Heavy reliance on Mombasa
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation and one of East Africa’s most import-dependent economies, currently routes the bulk of its cargo through Mombasa, with Uganda acting as the primary transit corridor.
This route has historically been favoured due to proximity and relatively established logistics infrastructure.
However, growing congestion at Mombasa, rising transit costs, non-tariff barriers and periodic regional disruptions have prompted South Sudan to explore alternative corridors as part of a broader trade facilitation and resilience strategy.
Landlocked countries such as South Sudan face some of the highest logistics costs in Africa, with transport and border delays often adding significantly to the price of fuel, food, construction materials and humanitarian supplies – key imports for the country.
Why Tanzania matters
Tanzania has invested heavily in expanding and modernising its ports and trade corridors in recent years. The Port of Dar es Salaam, which serves multiple landlocked countries including Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has increased cargo handling capacity and reduced dwell times through operational reforms and private-sector participation.
Meanwhile, Tanga Port, traditionally smaller, has undergone significant upgrades aimed at supporting regional trade, particularly for northern and central corridors.
For South Sudan, accessing Tanzanian ports would open up the Central Corridor, providing an alternative route via Tanzania to Uganda and onward to South Sudan – enhancing competition among corridors and potentially lowering overall logistics costs.
Customs cooperation at the core
During the meeting, the two revenue authorities agreed to formalise cooperation through a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will serve as an umbrella framework for collaboration.
According to the TRA Commissioner General, the MoU is expected to be finalised and signed before the end of February 2026, with immediate effect upon signing.
The agreement is expected to cover areas such as: exchange of customs and trade data, coordinated risk management and cargo tracking, capacity building and technical assistance, and alignment of transit and clearance procedures.
Such cooperation is critical in reducing delays, preventing revenue leakages and improving predictability for traders and logistics operators.
Mutual economic gains
For Tanzania, the proposal presents an opportunity to expand its role as a regional logistics hub, attract additional cargo volumes and maximise returns on recent investments in ports, rail and road infrastructure.
Increased South Sudan-bound cargo through Dar es Salaam and Tanga would generate additional revenue for port operators, transporters, clearing agents and related service providers along the corridor.
For South Sudan, diversified access to the sea would enhance trade security, improve supply chain resilience and support domestic price stability – key factors for an economy heavily reliant on imports.
A regional integration signal
The discussions also align with broader East African Community (EAC) goals of trade facilitation, regional integration and seamless movement of goods across borders.
If successfully implemented, the proposed customs cooperation could mark a significant step in reshaping East Africa’s trade geography, signalling a gradual shift from single-corridor dependence towards a more competitive, multi-gateway regional logistics system. As negotiations advance toward the signing of the MoU, attention will turn to how quickly operational arrangements can be put in place – and whether South Sudanese traders will begin testing Tanzania’s ports as viable alternatives in the months ahead.
