UNOPS, Japan and EAC deliver border patrol vehicles to boost security and trade in East Africa

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the government of Japan and the East African Community (EAC) are working together to support safer, more secure and economically connected communities across East Africa, according to a press release issued by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on 26 October 2026. With funding from the government of Japan, UNOPS procured 16 border patrol vehicles in partnership with the EAC Secretariat. The vehicles have been delivered to eight Partner States. The initiative aims to strengthen border operations and facilitate legitimate cross-border movement. It unites three partners around a shared security and trade agenda.

Across the East African Community, gaps in transport and mobility constrain border security operations and effective responses to cross-border crimes. These limitations affect how authorities patrol and manage shared borders. They also influence the flow of legitimate trade and the movement of people. The partnership was designed to address these constraints directly. It brings together financing, procurement expertise and regional coordination.

The 16 vehicles will improve the mobility of border security personnel across the eight EAC Partner States. They are expected to strengthen patrol operations and enhance efforts to address smuggling, trafficking and other illicit cross-border activities. The vehicles will also facilitate safer cross-border trade. This support is intended to help create a safer environment for communities in border areas. The delivery marks a tangible step in the joint effort.

“Effective border management is essential not only for preventing illicit activities and ensuring security, but also for facilitating legitimate trade and the movement of people,” said Jin Hashimoto, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania. H.E. Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi, EAC Secretary General, said the vehicles are expected to strengthen border operations and contribute to a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade. Massimo Diana, Director of UNOPS East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office, emphasized the broader value of the partnership.

“The value of this partnership goes beyond the delivery of vehicles. Border security is not only about protecting boundaries; it is about creating the conditions for communities and economies to thrive,” he said.

The collaboration between UNOPS, the government of Japan and the EAC underscores a shared commitment to safer borders and stronger regional trade. It links security operations with the economic well-being of border communities. The delivery of the 16 vehicles supports both objectives simultaneously. Partner States are now equipped with additional capacity to carry out patrol and trade facilitation duties. The initiative reflects a coordinated response to shared challenges across East Africa.