The Governments of Tanzania and Zambia have agreed to strengthen trade cooperation aimed at improving business opportunities, increasing cross-border trade, and creating more jobs for citizens in both countries.
The agreement was reached during the Fifth Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting held in Tunduma, Songwe Region, at the border connecting the two nations, where senior government officials discussed practical steps to remove barriers that slow down trade and business activities.
Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Finance, Engineer Mshamu Ali Munde, led the Tanzanian delegation in the discussions, which focused on improving the business environment, upgrading infrastructure, and making cross-border trade easier and faster for traders, transporters, and investors.
The meeting emphasized the importance of improving transport systems, border operations, and trade facilitation measures.
Leaders noted that efficient transport corridors and smooth customs procedures would help reduce delays, lower costs of doing business, and open up wider markets for small and large traders on both sides of the border.
Officials also highlighted that stronger cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia will directly benefit ordinary citizens by increasing access to markets for agricultural products, manufactured goods, and other commodities, while also encouraging investment in border towns and surrounding regions.
The discussions were supported by technical experts from both countries, who first met to review trade challenges and propose solutions.
This was followed by a session involving Permanent Secretaries from key ministries, including Finance, Transport, Industry and Trade, and Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation from Tanzania, together with their counterparts from Zambia.
Tanzanian officials who participated in the ministerial discussions included Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya, and Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Denis Londo.
Senior government representatives from Zambia also took part, showing a shared commitment to strengthening economic cooperation.
The meeting recognized Tunduma as a strategic trade gateway between the two countries and a key point for regional commerce within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Both sides agreed that improving infrastructure and border efficiency will help transform the area into a stronger trade hub, benefiting traders, transporters, and local communities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both Tanzania and Zambia reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely under the Joint Trade Committee framework to ensure that trade grows in a way that directly improves livelihoods, supports businesses, and strengthens regional economic integration for the benefit of citizens.
