Japan Reaffirms Support for EAC in Harnessing Technology to Boost Regional Trade
Japan has pledged renewed support to the East African Community (EAC) in leveraging technology to strengthen regional trade facilitation and integration.
The assurance was given by the Director-General of the Customs and Tariff Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Mr Teraoka Mitsuhiro, during a high-level meeting with the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Hon Annette Ssemuwemba. The meeting took place in Tokyo on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
Discussions centred on deepening cooperation in customs modernisation, digital trade facilitation, capacity building, and the application of advanced technology to improve efficiency and transparency in cross-border trade.
Hon Ssemuwemba welcomed Japan’s sustained engagement, stressing that digitalisation was key to realising the bloc’s integration and competitiveness goals.
“The integration of digital solutions into trade processes is no longer optional, it is essential for unlocking the full potential of intra-regional and international trade. Japan’s partnership will significantly advance our customs and trade digitalisation agenda,” she said.
Mr Mitsuhiro praised the EAC for the progress it has achieved in regional integration and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting EAC programmes aligned with Tokyo’s trade facilitation priorities and global cooperation frameworks.
The partnership builds on long-standing collaboration between Japan and the EAC, which dates back to 2007 through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Over the years, JICA has provided technical assistance and grant-aid projects in customs, trade, and infrastructure development across the region.
The meeting further underscored the role of partnerships under the TICAD framework in promoting sustainable development, economic growth, and digital innovation in Africa.
TICAD 9 convened African leaders, development partners, and international organisations to deliberate on inclusive growth and sustainable development, while exploring new opportunities for collaboration. The EAC’s participation highlighted its continued commitment to strategic partnerships that drive forward its integration agenda.
