Tanzania and Malawi are seeking to deepen trade and investment ties as the two neighbours push for more business partnerships, expanded markets and greater value addition that could benefit citizens on both sides.
The push emerged on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the Tanzania-Malawi Business and Investment Forum held at the Sabasaba grounds in Dar es Salaam.
Malawi’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Simon Itaye, said stronger economic cooperation between the two countries was critical to unlocking opportunities for businesses while improving the economic benefits reaching citizens.
He urged Tanzania and Malawi to move beyond longstanding diplomatic and political relations and strengthen practical commercial cooperation.
The forum brought together government officials and business stakeholders from both countries to discuss opportunities for increased trade, investment and economic partnerships.
Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) Director General Ephraim Mafuru said the historical ties between Tanzania and Malawi provided a strong foundation for expanding commercial relations.
But he said the real measure of the forum would be what follows after the discussions.
“The success of this forum should be reflected in contracts, partnerships and investments established after the event,” Mr Mafuru said.
The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) said the meeting also provided an opportunity to market Tanzania as an investment destination while encouraging Tanzanian businesses to explore opportunities in Malawi.
TISEZA Director of Investment Promotion George Mukono described Malawi as an important partner in Tanzania’s trade and investment agenda.
He said Tanzania’s strategic position and the Port of Dar es Salaam were particularly important to Malawi, providing the landlocked country with access to international markets.
“The Port of Dar es Salaam is an important gateway for Malawi to international markets,” Mr Mukono said.
He said TISEZA used the forum to showcase investment opportunities in Tanzania’s priority sectors and engage Malawian investors on areas where they could establish businesses.
At the same time, Tanzanian investors were encouraged to look at opportunities in Malawi, creating room for two-way investment rather than a relationship centred only on trade.
Mr Mukono said stronger investment links could increase production and value addition in both countries, potentially creating jobs and expanding opportunities for local businesses.
For consumers and businesses, deeper economic ties could also mean wider markets, more products and stronger regional supply chains if the commitments made at the forum translate into actual investments.
The discussions also underline the strategic importance of Tanzania’s transport infrastructure to neighbouring landlocked countries, particularly as regional economies seek reliable routes to international markets.
For Tanzania and Malawi, officials now face the task of turning the business forum’s discussions into tangible deals that can increase trade, attract capital and generate economic opportunities for ordinary citizens.