Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) - Djibouti
Implementation Partners
Ministry of Trade and Tourism, Ministry of Budget, Private Sector Stakeholders, Regional Customs Administrations
Implementation Period
2024-2027
Project Participants
Djibouti Customs, logistics firms, transporters, corridor users, and Ethiopia–Djibouti Corridor stakeholders
Funding Partner
European Union (EU) through Agence Française de Développement (AFD), under the Horn of Africa Initiative, as part of the European Union's Global Gateway strategy and Team Europe approach
Project Rationale
Djibouti serves as a critical maritime gateway for the Horn of Africa and the principal transit route for a significant share of Ethiopia’s international trade. However, cargo movement along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor has historically faced challenges including cargo diversion risks, limited cargo visibility, delayed enforcement responses and inefficient monitoring systems. These constraints increase transport costs, lengthen transit times and reduce confidence among traders, transporters and corridor users.
The Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) seeks to address these challenges by introducing GPS-enabled end-to-end cargo monitoring and real-time transit visibility. Through electronic seals, automated alerts and enhanced customs oversight, the system is expected to improve cargo security, strengthen risk-based interventions and support more efficient transit management. Once fully operational, ECTS is expected to contribute to reduced transit delays, lower logistics costs and enhanced trade facilitation performance along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor.
Implementation Strategy
The Electronic Cargo Tracking System is being implemented through a phased digital trade facilitation approach aimed at enhancing transit security, strengthening customs risk management and improving corridor efficiency. Primary components:
1. Real-time cargo monitoring: Deployment of GPS-enabled electronic seals and a central monitoring platform to provide continuous visibility of transit cargo moving along the corridor.
2. Integrated digital systems: Development of interoperability between ECTS and existing customs and trade systems to support coordinated monitoring, compliance enforcement and risk-based clearance processes
3. Automated risk management: The platform generates alerts in cases of route deviation, seal tampering or other transit irregularities, enabling customs authorities to respond rapidly and improve cargo security.
4. Capacity building and institutional strengthening: Delivery of User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes and technical training for customs officers to ensure operational readiness and long-term sustainability.
5. Progressive roll-out and operationalisation: The project is advancing through system development, pilot testing, stakeholder engagement, operational deployment and eventual corridor-wide expansion.
Current Progress
- Project implementation commenced following contract signing in March 2025.
- Procurement approvals were secured and system development progressed substantially during FY2025-26. The programme reported approximately 50% completion of ECTS development during the reporting period.
- A functional ECTS prototype has been developed, introducing GPS-based cargo visibility to support risk-based transit monitoring and customs interventions.
- Pilot implementation activities have demonstrated real-time cargo monitoring, automated alerts and enhanced customs oversight capabilities.
- A User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Training of Trainers programme was successfully delivered to DGDDI ICT personnel between May and June 2026, covering all 12 ECTS modules and strengthening technical capacity for future deployment and support.
- Structured feedback on system functionality, technical improvements and operational requirements was collected and documented to inform subsequent development phases.
- Stakeholder engagement and coordination with customs authorities, transport operators and corridor institutions continue to support implementation and future scale-up.
