TUNDUMA/Nakonde One Stop Border Post hosted a joint ministerial visit on 23 February 2026, when Honourable Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania, welcomed his Zambian counterpart, Honourable Mulambo Haimbe S.C, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia.
The ministers acknowledged the long-standing historical and brotherly ties between the two nations, praising President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia for “exemplary leadership and guidance in advancing bilateral, regional cooperation and Multilateral Cooperation.”
During the visit, the ministers toured the operational Tunduma/Nakonde OSBP and its infrastructure, before holding bilateral discussions on trade relations. They commended ministries responsible for trade in both countries for successful Joint Trade Committee meetings since 2023, which have resolved 14 out of 24 reported trade barriers, including council levies consolidation and clarification of employment regulations. A Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring System is expected to be functional by August 2026.
The ministers also noted progress from the second Joint Steering Committee on the Simplified Trade Regime held in December 2025, which expanded STR products from 22 to 48 to support small-scale cross-border traders. The addendum to the 2017 STR Agreement was finalized as a legal framework to promote traders around the Nakonde/Tunduma border.
Both ministers committed to fully operationalizing the OSBP according to the 2017 Operational Manual, co-locating customs, immigration, and health officials in one facility. They directed experts from Tanzania and Zambia to establish a bilateral mechanism to monitor trade agreements under the World Trade Organization, AfCFTA, and SADC, reporting progress monthly.
The ministers discussed digitalisation as key to safe and efficient trade, directing collaboration on an advanced electronic cargo tracking system already used by Tanzania. They agreed to accelerate the signing and operationalization of the Zombe/Kasesya OSBP to reduce congestion at Tunduma/Nakonde.
Zambian concerns over clearing and forwarding agents and ICDs in Dar es Salaam causing delays and extra charges were addressed. Strategic projects along the TANZAM Corridor were confirmed, including revitalization of the TAZARA Railway, construction of a new TAZAMA petroleum pipeline, a natural gas pipeline, and expansion of the Tunduma/Nakonde OSBP.
Five additional trade issues were resolved:
i. Completion of the packing yard on the Zambian side.
ii. Expedited delivery and use of the mobile scanner donated by Tanzania to Nakonde.
iii. Integration of Tanzania Electronic Single Window System into Zambia’s Port Terminal Operating System by February 2026.
iv. Zambia to begin 24/7 operations at Nakonde border.
v. Tanzania to complete the bypass road within six months; Zambia to finish Lot I by 31 March 2026 and start Lot II in April, with ECT system procurement by June 2026.
Both ministers committed to implementing these measures for the benefit of citizens in Tanzania and Zambia.
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