Tanzania and Zimbabwe have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and trade as part of ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral relations.
The commitment came during a meeting between Tanzania’s Vice President, Dr. Philip Mpango, and Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Retired Colonel Kembo Campbell Mohadi, at State House, Dar es Salaam, during a two-day working visit by the Zimbabwean delegation.
The discussions emphasized leveraging existing historical ties to create new opportunities in trade, investment, and regional integration.
Key areas of focus include agriculture, mining, tourism, education, and healthcare. Both countries also pledged to encourage businesses and citizens to utilize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area to expand trade.
Vice President Dr. Mpango invited Zimbabwean businesspeople to invest in Tanzanian products, including rice, cement, and roofing materials, while encouraging Zimbabwean investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania’s growing economy.
The two countries also discussed continued collaboration on international issues of mutual interest, including resisting economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Tanzania and Zimbabwe have maintained strong diplomatic relations since 1980, further strengthened by the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) established in 1982.
The JPCC has facilitated cooperation in sectors ranging from security and trade to agriculture, education, health, and culture.
Economic relations between the two nations are steadily improving, with Tanzania’s exports to Zimbabwe increasing from TZS 21.1 billion in 2017 to TZS 115.9 billion in 2023, highlighting the growing potential for trade-driven development.
