East African traders voice concerns over renewed cross-border hurdles

The Namanga border post, which handles the bulk of goods moving between Tanzania and Kenya

Arusha. Cross-border traders in the East African Community (EAC) are raising fresh concerns over delays and high costs linked to trade permits and certificates — a new bottleneck that is hampering the flow of goods and threatening livelihoods across the region.

At the Namanga border, traders say the growing bureaucracy, coupled with multiple customs checks and frequent cargo inspections, has made cross-border trade increasingly cumbersome.