The Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Tanzania and Kenya constituted the last stop in the week-long fact-finding mission led by Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Namanga, located about 160 km southeast of Nairobi and 100 km north of Arusha, serves as a prominent border crossing between southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The Kenyan side of the border is in Kajiado County, while the Tanzanian side lies in Longido District.Namanga’s strategic location between two major cities makes it one of the busiest border crossings between the two countries.
During the visit, Pan-African Parliamentarians observed firsthand how cross-border trade facilitates the free movement of people, goods, and services between Tanzania and Kenya.
The delegation received a briefing on the OSBP's benefits, which include reduced clearance times and enhanced cooperation among border agencies through a coordinated border management framework. Authorities on both sides engaged the Parliamentarians in discussions on how the OSBP simplifies trade and travel by minimizing the number of stops required at the border. This is achieved by co-locating exit and entry controls on each side of the border or in a shared facility with streamlined procedures and joint controls where possible.
The tour allowed members of the Pan-African Parliament Committee to reflect on the importance of easing the movement of people, goods, and services across borders, particularly in advancing the OSBP model across the African continent.
The findings from this fact-finding mission in Tanzania will be presented to the Plenary Session of the Pan-African Parliament for resolutions and recommendations on the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) in Tanzania and how these insights can support AfCFTA implementation in other countries.
The Pan-African Parliament delegation in Tanzania was led by Hon. Sen. Prof. Margaret Kamar (Kenya) and included Hon. Hannaa Benkhair (Morocco), Hon. Mathurin Massckini (Central African Republic), Hon. Wavel Joseph Woodcock (Seychelles), and Hon. Anatropia Lwehikila Theonest (Tanzania).
