Chiamaka Ekeh
By NJIRAINI MUCHIR
Kenya is pushing to bring on board all East Africa Community member countries to the regional electronic cargo tracking system to streamline cargo transportation and boost tax collection through the Single Customs Territory.
Kenya’s National Treasury acting Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani said having all EAC countries using Rects is crucial in avoiding dumping of goods, minimising travel delays, improving cargo security and boosting tax revenues.
Speaking at the 2019 taxpayer’s month forum, Mr Yatani said: “Plans are underway to roll out Rects to include South Sudan, Tanzania and ultimately to destinations outside the EAC bloc.”
But the biggest challenge is that Tanzania has its own electronic cargo tracking system (Tancis), a multi-vendor platform owned by private companies.
The push to bring Tanzania on board, in particular, comes at a time when Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasingly using the Central Corridor as a viable option than the Northern Corridor via Kenya.
While it is clear that South Sudan is set to join Rects as soon as the transitional government is in place this November, negotiations with Tanzania are ongoing.
