Tanzania expresses readiness for wide-ranging trade talks with DRC

DODOMA: TANZANIA has expressed readiness to engage in wide-ranging trade discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including food trade cooperation.

Minister for Agriculture Daniel Chongolo made the remarks during a meeting with the Economic and Investment Adviser to the President of the DRC, Tony Munongo in Dodoma on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Elaborating, the minister said that Tanzania is open to strengthening commercial ties with the DRC, particularly in food crops, markets, transport, and other business opportunities aimed at boosting trade between the two countries.

The meeting brought together senior officials from both sides, including the Assistant Adviser to the President of the DRC on Economic and Investment Affairs, Fredy Matamba who was part of a nine-member Congolese delegation.

Also present were the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security, Prof Peter L. M. Msoffe, and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), Dr Andrew Komba, accompanied by a team of experts.

ALSO READ: Finance Ministry’s officials urged to uphold integrity, ethical conduct

The delegation’s visit follows earlier bilateral discussions between Chongolo and the DRC Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, held in Germany on the sidelines of the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA).

During their stay in Tanzania, the Congolese delegation will assess the quality of maize produced and stored by the NFRA and learn about procurement procedures and transportation systems used to export the commodity to the DRC.

Moreover, Mr Chongolo said the cooperation aligns with the vision of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to boost food production and generate surplus for commercial export to countries within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).