Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has called for stronger regional and international cooperation in combating transnational crime, saying modern criminal networks are increasingly operating across borders and using advanced digital technologies that require equally advanced responses from law enforcement agencies.
Dr. Nchemba made the remarks on Monday, May 4, 2026, when he officially opened the 11th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the East African Association of Prosecutors (EAAP) held at the Blue Sapphire Hall in Dar es Salaam.
The three-day meeting brings together top legal and prosecution officials from East Africa and beyond under the theme focusing on the use of technology in combating wildlife crime and organized transnational crime.
He said the fight against crime today cannot be won by a single country acting alone, stressing that criminals are already working in coordinated networks that cross multiple borders.
“Organized crime does not respect borders. That is why our response must also be coordinated, united and built on strong international cooperation,” he said.
The Prime Minister explained that many modern crimes are now planned and executed through digital platforms.
He said criminals use online systems to coordinate activities, move money, and hide their operations, making it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to track them.
He added that this situation requires governments and justice institutions to strengthen cooperation in areas such as sharing intelligence, legal assistance between countries, and extradition of suspects.
Dr. Nchemba also emphasized that technology has become a key tool in both committing and fighting crime. He said authorities must invest more in modern systems such as digital investigations, data analysis tools, and secure communication networks to keep up with evolving criminal methods.
“We must fully embrace technology as a key weapon in fighting modern crime. Without it, we risk falling behind criminals who are already using it effectively,” he said.
He further warned that crimes such as illegal wildlife trade and other forms of organized cross-border crime are not only harming the environment but also threatening national economies and public safety.
According to him, these illegal activities lead to loss of valuable natural resources and undermine efforts to promote sustainable development in the region.
On Tanzania’s side, Dr. Nchemba said the government has continued to strengthen its legal systems to improve cooperation with other countries in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
He noted that reforms have been introduced to improve the use of digital evidence, speed up international legal requests, and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
He said these reforms are aimed at ensuring justice systems are more responsive and effective in dealing with cross-border crime.
The Prime Minister urged member states of the East African Association of Prosecutors to use the EAAP platform to deepen cooperation and build stronger trust among justice institutions in the region.
“In a world where crime is increasingly cross-border, our solutions must also be collective and well coordinated,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, the Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Zainabu Katimba, said the presence of the Prime Minister shows the government’s strong commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in fighting crime.
She said the conference comes at the right time as criminal activities are becoming more sophisticated, especially with the use of technology, and called on participants to share experiences and strengthen justice systems in their respective countries.
On his part, EAAP President and Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, said cooperation among prosecutors in the region is essential in addressing complex and evolving criminal networks.
He said the conference provides a key opportunity to build stronger professional relationships, improve trust, and enhance coordinated responses to transnational crime.
The East African Association of Prosecutors brings together Directors of Public Prosecutions, Attorneys General, senior prosecutors, and justice sector stakeholders from Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Sudan, Zambia, and Uganda.
The meeting is expected to produce practical strategies aimed at improving regional cooperation, strengthening prosecution systems, and enhancing the use of technology in criminal justice across East Africa.
Dr. Nchemba officially declared the conference open, expressing confidence that the discussions will lead to strong and practical outcomes that will help improve security, justice, and cooperation across the region.
