Tanzania and Malawi Strengthen Trade Ties Through High-Level Ministerial Talks in Dodoma

Dodoma, Tanzania – May 2, 2025 — In a significant step toward resolving trade tensions and boosting economic cooperation, the governments of Tanzania and Malawi convened a high-level Joint Ministerial Meeting in Dodoma, Tanzania, to address bilateral trade challenges and chart a path for deeper regional integration.

The meeting, held on May 2, 2025, was co-chaired by Honourable Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania, and Honourable Nancy Gladys Tembo (MP), Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The dialogue followed preliminary consultations on April 24, 2025, marking a decisive effort to defuse a lingering trade dispute that has affected commerce between the two neighbouring nations.

At the heart of the talks was Malawi’s Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Prohibition) Order, enacted on March 13, 2025. The regulation effectively banned the importation of specific goods into Malawi—an action that has disrupted Tanzanian exports and prompted concern among regional trade observers.

Resetting Bilateral Trade Relations

According to the Joint Communiqué released after the session, both sides reiterated a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, deepening trade engagement, and resolving existing trade barriers in the spirit of mutual respect and regional solidarity. The ministers emphasized their countries’ historical and brotherly ties, describing the meeting as a reaffirmation of their long-standing cooperation and friendship.

“The discussions underscored the shared commitment to deepen trade relations, foster economic cooperation, and address existing trade matters,” the communiqué noted.

Commending Presidential Leadership

Both delegations lauded the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi. Their exemplary diplomatic engagement, the ministers agreed, has laid a strong foundation for bilateral and regional cooperation. The ministers acknowledged the critical role of their Heads of State in ensuring continued peace, stability, and economic integration in the Southern African region.

Looking Ahead: Stronger Frameworks and Greater Cooperation

In addition to addressing the immediate trade restrictions, the two countries agreed on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation under existing regional and international trade frameworks. They committed to utilizing mechanisms under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and other instruments to ensure that any future trade disputes are resolved amicably and proactively.

Both Tanzania and Malawi recognize that trade is a cornerstone of development. With growing intra-African commerce and increasing pressure on nations to diversify exports, strengthening regional trade ties is essential for economic transformation.