Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Trade, Lillian Bwalya, made the announcement and called for improved border operations and streamlined regulations to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services between the two countries.
Bwalya said the Zambia–Tanzania trade corridor remains critical for bilateral and regional commerce.
“Trade between the two countries stood at US$10.36 billion in 2023 before normalising to US$677.2 million in 2024 and recovering to US$815.4 million in 2025. Despite this volatility, the bilateral relationship shows strong underlying potential,” she said.
She highlighted export diversification, improved trade facilitation along the Central Corridor, reduced logistics costs, and the removal of non-tariff barriers as key areas for future growth.
Bwalya also cited government reforms aimed at improving trade, including the lifting of the night driving ban for trucks and public service vehicles, as well as the completion of the Nakonde Border Expansion Project commissioned by Hakainde Hichilema in March 2026.
She stressed the importance of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC), describing it as a key platform for dialogue and resolving trade-related challenges.
“Zambia and Tanzania share a rich history of cordial relations, founded on solidarity, partnership, and a shared vision for mutual development,” Bwalya said.
She further commended the Technical Experts Committee for resolving six out of 19 outstanding non-tariff barriers, some of which are expected to be addressed by the finance ministries of both countries.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Aristides Mbwasi, described Zambia as one of Tanzania’s most important economic and trading partners within the Southern African Development Community.
Mbwasi said the JTC remains an important mechanism for implementing commitments made during reciprocal state visits by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Hichilema between 2023 and 2025.
He noted that Tanzania remains committed to industrialisation, trade expansion and infrastructure investment, while working to remove trade barriers and promote investment.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, removing barriers and enhancing regional integration during the 5th Joint Trade Committee meeting held in Tunduma.
The meeting, which began at expert level on May 4, 2026, concluded with a ministerial session yesterday.
