This week, the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Tanzania and Rwanda, Rusumo, began 24-hour operations. The move is expected to increase business traffic considerably When it was decided to move away from the bureaucratic eight-hour work shift to a 16-hour mode, business increased by more than 50 per cent. In fact, the sole decision to create OSBP reduced the transit border crossing time for trucks by 55 per cent thereby bringing transport costs down with hope that more reforms will bring with them more positive changes. The East African Community (EAC) has turned out to be among the most successful regional economic organisations since it increased membership from the original three; Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. With the admission of Rwanda and Burundi ten years ago, and just recently, South Sudan, it has opened access to a combined regional market of close to 160 million people. Rwanda has an ambitious target of transforming into a middle income economy by 2020 and that will only be possible with increased trade and creating more jobs. Building a stronger political and economic bloc will only be achieved if all member states carry their weight and move in unison. The habit of countries not moving at the same pace is among the biggest obstacles the EAC will have to grapple with. But, most importantly, putting diplomatic niceties aside and dealing with each other with honesty and respect. If one country is hindering others on the road to full integration, it should be told so without altogether using kid gloves. It is only by putting all cards on the table and identifying and owning up to our weaknesses that we will do away with borders. We should not just be satisfied with more OSBPs.
