Tanzania intensifies efforts to eliminate non-tariff barriers with Kenya and Zambia.

DODOMA: THE Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga has said that the Tanzanian government has continued to intensify efforts to eliminate non-tariff barriers (NTBs) with neighbouring countries, including Kenya and Zambia.

The move aims at strengthening regional trade and economic cooperation.

The minister made the statement today, May 22, 2026,  in Dodoma when presenting the Ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year stating that the government continues to coordinate trade negotiations and resolve barriers through various regional platforms.

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She said that between Tanzania and Kenya, key trade challenges were addressed through a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting held between September and October 2025 in Dar es Salaam where during the discussions, a total of 14 trade barriers were reviewed, with six raised by Tanzania and eight by Kenya.

Additionally, she said that out of the 14 identified barriers, three were successfully resolved.

“These included issues related to unfair import duties and high stamp duty charges on Tanzanian beer sold in Kenya,” she said.

Moreover, the minister said that challenges affecting the movement of seeds from Kenya into Tanzania, as well as discrepancies in road user charges between the two countries, were also resolved through bilateral engagements.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting smoother cross-border trade in order to enhance economic integration and boost business opportunities within the East African region.