Rwanda cargo tracking and transit (RECTS)

What RECTS is

RECTS links the electronic cargo tracking systems of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda so that cargo can be tracked jointly from port to destination 24 hours a day, according to a TradeMark Africa statement dated 27 March 2017 ¹. A directive of the Northern Corridor Heads of State Summit in Kigali on 3 July 2014 required the three countries to adopt joint electronic monitoring of transit cargo ¹.

KT Press describes it as a web-based system for monitoring transit cargo under customs control, launched by the Rwanda Revenue Authority in 2017 ⁴. Monitoring centres are in Kigali, Nairobi and Kampala ⁴.

The UN ESCAP Cross-Border Paperless Trade Database lists Rwanda, Kenya, DR Congo and Uganda as participating countries on the Northern Corridor ⁵. TradeMark Africa and KT Press name three countries ^1,4. The ESCAP page was last updated on 7 June 2024 ⁵.

How a transit trip is monitored

• At departure a customs officer attaches an electronic seal and activates it in RECTS ⁴.
• Smart gates at checkpoints scan vehicle details automatically ⁴.
• Monitoring centres staffed by customs officers track the cargo in real time once the journey starts ⁴.
• Goods must follow gazetted corridor routes. Movement outside a geofenced route or tampering with a seal is reported to the Central Monitoring Centre, and alerts go by email and SMS to pre-defined persons ⁵.
• Rapid Response Units placed at strategic points react as the monitoring centre directs ⁵.
• At the destination a customs officer deactivates the seal in the system and removes it ⁴.

Launch and costs reported

In September 2016 The New Times reported that the Rwanda Revenue Authority would launch a cargo tracking system costing US$5 million, about Rwf 4 billion, funded by TradeMark East Africa ². The report said the project had three parts: electronic cargo tracking, CCTV cameras at border posts and number plate recognition ². It quoted Robert Mugabe, head of the project, saying an electronic magnetic seal would go on a container or truck ².

The Rwanda Revenue Authority commissioned RECTS on 24 March 2017 ¹. TradeMark Africa quoted Commissioner General Richard Tusabe saying revenue leakage would be mitigated ¹. TradeMark Africa listed the aims as cargo security, shorter transit times, lower costs and an end to physical escorts for sensitive cargo such as fuel and cigarettes ¹.

In October 2017 The New Times put the cost at US$4.5 million, nearly Rwf 3.7 billion, funded by the UK Department for International Development through TradeMark East Africa ³. KT Press gave the same US$4.5 million figure in March 2022 ⁴. The 2016 figure was reported before the launch. This page shows both ^2,3.

Charges for traders and transporters

The New Times reported in October 2017 that Rwanda charged nothing for an e-seal. It quoted Robert Mugabe, then Rwanda Revenue Authority deputy commissioner for revenue investigation and enforcement, saying the authority was not selling the devices ³. The same report said businesses in Tanzania and Burundi, which were not part of RECTS, had to buy their own devices at about US$1,200 per e-seal ³. This page has not found an official RRA fee schedule for e-seals.

Transit declarations and related systems

The Rwanda e-Single Window run by the Rwanda Revenue Authority covers transit-related regulatory requirements ⁶. Its stated aims include real-time monitoring of consignments by the importing community and government institutions ⁶.

The Rwanda Trade Portal, managed by the Rwanda Revenue Authority under the National Trade Facilitation Committee, lists transit procedures between border posts. Examples are transit from DR Congo at Rusizi I through Rusumo and transit through Gatuna to Burundi at Nemba ⁷. The portal lists customs offices at Cyanika, Gatuna, Kagitumba, La Corniche, Nemba, Poids Lourds, Rusizi I, Rusizi II, Rusumo, Gikondo Inland Customs Office and Kigali International Airport ⁷.

Some of these routes are affected by closures. Burundi closed its borders with Rwanda from 11 January 2024, as reported that day ⁸. Rwanda closed Rusizi I and Rusizi II on 18 May 2026 over Ebola in DR Congo, as reported that day ⁹. Neither closure is confirmed as lifted as of 24 October 2026. This page could not confirm how transit on those routes runs in October 2026.