The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has requested customs cooperation with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) that will enable it to use the Ports of Tanga and Dar es Salaam to transit its cargo instead of other ports it is currently using.

This request was made during a joint meeting between the Commissioner General of TRA, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, and the Commissioner General of SSRA, Mr. William Anyuon Koul, held on January 22, 2026, at the TRA offices in Dar es Salaam. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two authorities.

According to the discussions, once a cooperation agreement is reached, South Sudan through SSRA will be able to use the Ports of Tanga and Dar es Salaam instead of other ports, and will be provided with favorable conditions to ensure the security of cargo and the protection of revenue arising from that cargo.

For the first time during the meeting, the Commissioner General of SSRA requested the Commissioner General of TRA to receive and convey greetings from His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, to Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

After discussions, the two Commissioners General agreed to continue strengthening and formalizing cooperation between the two authorities by finalizing a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will provide a general framework for cooperation.

The Commissioner General of TRA stated that the MoU is expected to be signed before the end of February 2026 and to be implemented immediately thereafter.

He said that the MoU will provide opportunities for structured cooperation in capacity building and human resource development, including training programs, exchange of technical expertise, and institutional strengthening initiatives, taking into account the experience and competence of each authority.

It will also strengthen cooperation in customs and administrative matters with the aim of increasing operational efficiency and improving tax compliance management in both jurisdictions.

He added that another area of cooperation is working jointly to facilitate trade between the two countries by increasing the volume of cargo destined for South Sudan passing through the Ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, recognizing the strategic importance of these ports for South Sudan’s external trade.

Furthermore, Commissioner General Mwenda said that during the discussions, South Sudan requested assistance in identifying and facilitating access to a suitable area for offloading and clearing cargo destined for South Sudan, in order to improve cargo handling, clearance procedures, and overall coordination of transport and logistics matters.

In addition, the two sides agreed to enhance close technical cooperation in digital systems, including integrating Tanzania’s New Customs System (TANCIS) with South Sudan’s Electronic Customs System, as well as incorporating South Sudan’s Electronic Permit System into TANCIS to enable seamless processing of customs and regulatory requirements.

All agreed areas of cooperation will be implemented within the framework of the Single Customs Territory, in accordance with the East African Community Treaty and other relevant regional instruments.

On his part, the Commissioner General of SSRA, Mr. William Anyuon Koul, said that cooperation between SSRA and TRA will enable South Sudan to use the Ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga and to curb revenue leakage through interoperable systems.

He added that SSRA staff will also benefit from training through the exchange of experience and capacity building with TRA, which will improve performance within their authority and facilitate trade.