Accredited East African traders clear cargo in a fraction of the time, according to a TMA study, which also calls for wider participation, stronger coordination among border agencies and consistent delivery of trade facilitation benefits.
Businesses accredited under the East African Community (EAC) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme experience substantially faster cargo clearance than non-accredited traders, according to a TradeMark Africa study examining the programme’s performance across five East African countries.
The study, Authorised Economic Operator Programme in the East African Community: Challenges, Impact and Opportunities 2026, reports average cargo clearance times of approx. 6 hours for accredited businesses, compared with 47 hours for non-accredited operators across the four countries for which clearance-time data were available.
In Rwanda, accredited businesses reported average clearance times of 2.5 hours, compared with about 34 hours for non-accredited traders. Corresponding figures were seven hours against 48 hours in Kenya, three against 12 hours in Uganda, and 24 against 96 hours in Tanzania. These findings, drawn from revenue authority survey data, illustrate the potential of trusted trader arrangements to reduce border delays and improve supply chain predictability.
“The AEO Programme allows businesses that demonstrate strong customs compliance, financial solvency and supply chain security to receive preferential treatment, including expedited clearance, fewer inspections and priority processing. For businesses moving goods across multiple borders, such arrangements can translate into lower operating costs, more reliable deliveries and improved competitiveness,” noted Benedict Musengele, Director for Trade and Customs at TMA.
The paradox of growing participation, but uneven benefits
The study finds that the regional programme expanded from 13 accredited operators in 2015 to 275 active operators by 2025, reflecting progress in institutionalising cooperation between customs administrations and the private sector.
However, participation remains uneven. Rwanda accounted for 104 active regional AEOs, followed by Tanzania with 63, Uganda with 49, Kenya with 34 and Burundi with 25. The composition of accredited businesses also reveals gaps. Importers and exporters accounted for 66% of regional AEOs, while customs brokers represented 29%. Transporters accounted for 4%, with warehouse operators representing 0.4%, in the period under focus.
This limited participation among logistics providers raises questions about how extensively the programme’s benefits reach across the supply chain. The study also identifies significant barriers facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including demanding compliance requirements, accreditation costs and limited awareness of available benefits.
Why faster customs clearance is only part of the solution
Despite the programme’s progress, the study finds that accredited businesses do not consistently receive preferential treatment across border crossings. One major constraint is the limited integration of Partner Government Agencies, including institutions responsible for standards and other regulatory controls. Consequently, goods that receive expedited customs treatment may still encounter delays from other border agencies.
The report identifies additional challenges, including lengthy accreditation procedures, inconsistent recognition of AEO status, inadequate dedicated facilities at some borders and concerns about penalties. Addressing these shortcomings will require stronger coordination between customs administrations, other regulatory agencies and businesses.
The study recommends harmonising AEO benefits across Partner States, simplifying accreditation and renewal procedures, strengthening awareness campaigns and introducing a more accessible accreditation package for MSMEs. It also calls for dedicated AEO units within national revenue authorities and greater automation of programme processes.