South Sudan, Tanzania Sign Customs Cooperation Deal

(JUBA) – South Sudan is establishing a permanent operational base at the Port of Dar es Salaam, with dedicated office space already allocated and land for a headquarters being processed by Tanzanian authorities.

Tanzania Revenue Authority Commissioner General Yusuph Juma confirmed that work permits have been issued for South Sudan Revenue Authority officers deployed to the port. Office space has been provided at TPA Tower, and full access to the Port of Dar es Salaam has been granted to support their operations.

The arrangements form part of a new memorandum of understanding signed in Dar es Salaam by the South Sudan Revenue Authority and the Tanzania Revenue Authority. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on customs administration, digital integration of customs systems, staff training, trade facilitation, anti-dumping measures, logistics improvements and information sharing.

It also covers implementation of the East African Community Single Customs Territory framework.

The two heads of the revenue bodies, SSRA Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet and TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma, signed the document at the ceremony.

Speaking on the system interface and information sharing component, Juma said the memorandum would provide for the access and facility of interface and integration of customs systems between the two nations.

On the pending allocation of land for an SSRA headquarters at the port, Juma offered a clear timeline. He said authorities are liaising with different government bodies, including the Tanzania Ports Authority, to secure the plot. He gave his assurance that all permits required for the allocation will be accessible before the end of October, within the first quarter of the financial year.

Commissioner General Ajuet said the memorandum will serve as a practical framework to guide cooperation. He described it as a guardian document that allows the two sisterly countries to request and provide support in a structured way.

Ajuet placed emphasis on the promotion of the Dar es Salaam to South Sudan trade corridor, which he called a central corridor. He said building this route would directly benefit the people of both nations. He stressed that the freedom to move goods from one point to another without being squeezed in one area is very important.

The memorandum builds on a joint communiqué signed in January 2026 by then SSRA Commissioner General William Anyuon and TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma. In that earlier agreement, the two authorities agreed to expand institutional cooperation.

The new partnership is expected to improve customs efficiency, facilitate cargo movement through the Port of Dar es Salaam and strengthen trade links between South Sudan and Tanzania.