Tunduma, Tanzania –Zambia and Tanzania have opened a second bilateral meeting on the Simplified Trade Regime at the Nakonde and Tunduma border post, a process closely watched by small traders across the SADC region including those in Eswatini who rely on similar arrangements at busy crossings such as Ngwenya and Oshoek.
Officials from both countries gathered in Tunduma this week to review how the regime is working and to strengthen the participation of small scale cross border traders, with particular attention to women and young people. The talks run over three days from 17 to 19 December 2025 and begin with a joint technical committee session before moving to a joint steering committee meeting.
The technical discussions are tasked with reviewing progress made since the first bilateral engagement, identifying operational challenges at the border and agreeing on practical steps that can be implemented without delay. Outcomes from this stage are expected to guide the steering committee as it provides direction on improving cross border trade cooperation.
The technical committee is co chaired by Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry through Chief Economist in the Department of Foreign Trade Billy Malijani and Tanzania’s Ministry of Industry and Trade through Acting Assistant Director for Regional Integration Frank K Kibika.
Malijani told delegates that the simplified trade regime remains a key tool for supporting small traders through predictable and transparent procedures. He said Zambia was ready to carry out the technical work required and to submit clear recommendations to the steering committee so that agreed actions translate into real change at the border.
Kibika welcomed the continued cooperation between the two countries, noting that the meeting builds on the foundation set during the first bilateral talks. He said the current engagement seeks to take stock of progress, address remaining obstacles and guide the next phase of implementation through open dialogue and coordinated institutional action.
Discussion about this post