Tanzania, Zambia resolve 7 trade-related challenges, set strategies for  unsolved 13 issues

TUNDUMA: TANZANIA and Zambia have agreed to remove more trade barriers to ease the movement of goods, services and people across their borders in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.

The agreement was reached during the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) ministerial meeting held in Tunduma on May 7, 2026,  where ministers and senior officials from both countries reviewed the implementation of previous resolutions and discussed emerging trade issues.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Dennis Londo, said the two sides discussed about 20 trade-related challenges and successfully resolved seven of them, while setting short and long-term strategies to address the remaining 13 issues.

Among the resolved matters are the harmonisation of fuel measurement standards through a mutual recognition agreement between relevant authorities to improve transparency and efficiency in fuel testing.

The two countries also agreed on the removal of Zambia’s night travel ban, allowing cargo trucks to operate around the clock, a move expected to boost transport efficiency and trade flow between the neighbouring nations.

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Other achievements include improvements in cargo documentation and border management through the implementation of the first phase of the customs information exchange system and the launch of the second phase of systems integration.

Mr Londo further said Zambia had scrapped the 4,500 Kwacha transport permit fee imposed on Tanzanian transporters, while Tanzania removed the 200 US dollar non-reciprocal business permit fee charged to Zambian transporters entering the country.

The two countries also resolved the issue of confiscated passports belonging to Tanzanian drivers by agreeing to strengthen awareness and training on border procedures.

He noted that the resolutions would improve cross-border trade, enhance border management and increase the efficiency of the Tunduma-Nakonde One Stop Border Post (OSBP), while facilitating the movement of people, cargo and services.

Trade between Tanzania and Zambia has continued to grow, with the value of trade increasing from 312 million US dollars in 2024 to 349 million US dollars in 2025, representing an 11 per cent rise.

The Tanzanian delegation to the meeting included Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya, Deputy Minister for Finance Engineer Mshamu Munde, Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile and other senior government officials led by Mr Londo.