Tanzania unveils new East African Commercial and Logistics Centre

The East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre – locally known as the EACLC – cost around US$110-million to build, spans 75,000 square metres, and has over 2,000 commercial units, as well as warehousing and logistics capacity.  

Among its aims is to improve cargo handling and reduce time and costs associated with cross-border trade. Countries that could benefit from the efficiencies include Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and the DRC. 

The EACLC will also expand export opportunities for local Tanzanian businesses and small-scale entrepreneurs. 

Speaking at official opening event, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania said the EACLC is an opportunity for Tanzania to scale up its competitiveness in the regional and continental trade landscape. 

“This facility will be instrumental in promoting exports of locally processed agricultural and other value-added goods,” the President stated. 

“When I toured the complex this morning, I was pleased to meet young Tanzanians engaged in value addition for export. It is encouraging to see the youth benefiting from such opportunities.”  

She added that Tanzania’s export businesses should uphold the highest standards of quality, given that every product bearing the ‘Made in Tanzania’ mark must reflect the country’s image and reputation. 

“Let us not compromise on quality. Every item exported with our country’s label speaks for all of us,” the President emphasised. 

Customs clearance time significantly reduced 

Tanzania’s government expects that, by concentrating commercial activities in one integrated zone at the EACLC, it can cut customs clearance time from the current seven days to just three. 

“This facility positions Tanzania favourably. It will encourage regional players to choose our country as their preferred destination for commercial and logistics services,” the President noted. 

The Port of Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and principal port, handling over 90% of the country’s maritime trade. It is a key trade hub for East and Central Africa, serving not only Tanzania but also neighbouring landlocked countries.