ZAMBIA -TANZANIA FORGE STRONG TRADE

TUNDUMA - TANZANIA 

07th May, 2026.

Today, on the 07th of May 2026, the border town of Tunduma in the United Republic of Tanzania became the epicentre of regional economic integration, as the Republic of Zambia and the United Republic of Tanzania convened the 5th Joint Trade Committee Meeting. This high-level gathering, hosted by the Tanzanian government, brought together senior ministers, permanent secretaries, and technical experts from both nations under a shared vision of unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade. 

Leading the Zambian delegation, representating my brother Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry, and accompanied by Mrs. Lillian S. Bwalya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, alongside Mr. Marvelous Sikapizya, District Commissioner of Nakonde District, we engaged our Tanzanian counterparts in constructive deliberations that have since set a new benchmark for cross-border cooperation.

 The Tanzanian side was capably steered by Hon. Dennis Londo (MP), Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, with the formidable support of Hon. James Kinyasi Millya (MP), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation; Hon. Eng. Mshamu Ali Munde, Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr. Aristides Mbwasi, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and Professor Peter Msofe, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. The presence of these senior officials underscored the gravity with which both nations regard this enduring partnership, a partnership that traces its roots to the visionary leadership of founding fathers Dr. Julius Kambarage Nyerere and Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.

The commitment of our two Presidents His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema of the Government Republic of Zambia and Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United republic of Tanzania, to transform political goodwill into tangible economic benefits for their citizens. Their directives to establish and sustain this Joint Trade Committee have borne remarkable fruit, as evidenced by the single most celebrated outcome of the Tunduma deliberations; the resolution of five out of ten outstanding non-tariff barriers that had long plagued trade flows between the two sister nations.

 This breakthrough, achieved through sustained dialogue and a mutual willingness to confront logistical inefficiencies and administrative bottlenecks, represents more than just a statistical victory. It signifies a new era of trust and efficiency along the Nakonde-Tunduma corridor, a vital artery for the movement of goods, from agricultural produce to manufactured products, that sustains thousands of small-scale cross-border traders and commercial enterprises alike.

 The signing ceremony that took place today in the United republic of Tanzania signified a formal communication and agreement between two countries. For Zambia, this accord promises reduced transit costs, faster clearance of essential imports, and expanded market access for Zambian value-added goods into Tanzania and beyond. For Tanzania, it reinforces its position as a strategic trade hub and gateway to the Southern African Development Community, while opening new avenues for its industrial exports into the Zambian hinterland.

 The two governments have sent an unambiguous signal to the business community that the era of hidden trade taxes is ending. Small-scale traders, who often bear the brunt of unofficial payments and unpredictable delays, stand to gain immediate relief, while larger commercial players can now plan long-term supply chains with greater certainty. Moreover, the Tunduma Accord explicitly links bilateral efforts to the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, recognising that the Zambia-Tanzania partnership is a microcosm of what intra-African trade should look like. These measures, while technical in nature, translate into real-world savings: reduced truck turnaround times, fresher produce reaching markets, and lower consumer prices on both sides of the border.

 As Zambian government we expressed our  profound gratitude to the Tanzanian government for its hospitality and for the relentless pursuit of solutions that benefit both peoples. We reaffirmed Zambia’s unwavering commitment to working alongside Tanzania not only in resolving existing bottlenecks but also in proactively identifying new challenges before they escalate into barriers. While our counterpart the Tanzanian team leader Hon. Dennis Londo, echoed our sentiments, emphasising that the foundation laid by Presidents Hichilema and Suluhu has created an enabling environment where technocrats and policymakers can negotiate without the shadow of political mistrust. He specifically highlighted the personal rapport between the two Heads of State, noting that their frequent consultations on regional infrastructure projects, including the revitalisation of the TAZARA railway and the expansion of the Dar es Salaam port corridor, have created a virtuous cycle of cooperation that directly benefits the Joint Trade Committee’s work.

ASANTE SANA

 Hon. Njavwa Simutowe 

Mbala Member of Parliament 

Muchinga Province Minister