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Advance Cargo Information System
Project / Program Summary

I. Basic data

Sector(s): Transport and Communications
Title: Advance Cargo Information System (ACIS)
Donor country / organization: European Union
Other donors / organizations involved:
Beneficiary countries / regions: The Projects is implemented in phases, Phase I covers: Burundi, Kenya, Uganda,Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia
Implementing agencies in beneficiary countries / regions: COMESA and UNCTAD
Duration: 3 years
Starting Date: July,1995
Project / Program budget: ECU 8,410,000 (Phase 1) and ECU 26,944,000 for all member Countries in COMESA
Finance / Type of cooperation: Grant

II. Project / program description

  1. Objectives
    The objective of this project is to develop and install a computer based system to track cargo and equipment on railways and in ports, and linking up users to enable them to obtain general information on shipping and train movements and the whereabouts of cargo.
  2. Activities / contents
    • Development and Installation of tracking software for ports (Port Tracker), Railways (Rail Tracker), Road (Road Tracker) and Lakes (Lake Tracker).
    • Training of staff and management of beneficiary organisations.
    • Development and Installation of a Backbone Information System.
    • Development and Installation of National and Sub-regional transport databases.
  3. Expected outcomes / impacts
    The ACIS Project will:
    • Contribute to sub-regional integration in COMESA member States.
    • Promote International trade by providing to transport operators an information management tool enabling them to improve their performance.
    • Reduce the costs of transportation to shippers and enhance competitiveness of trade in the sub-region and with the rest of the world.
    • Increase competence in sub-regional data management and macroeconomic planning.
    • Assist in spreading the technology culture which is so important in a world economy, which is becoming more and more knowledge intensive.
  4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
    In line with the Agenda for Action, African countries are expected to ensure efficient physical infrastructure through regulatory reforms, participation on additional investment in key sectors like rail, road telecommunication etc. This project will therefore contribute towards developing and empowering the private sector.

III. Contact point:

Division of Infrastructure Development, COMESA Secretariat
P.O. Box 30051, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Fax No: 260-1-225107
COMESA website:http/www/comesa.int

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