Tanzania and Zambia agree to tackle 13 remaining trade barriers

Sunday 8th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Tanzania and Zambia agreed to work together on 13 unresolved barriers to cross-border trade after officials and freight operators reviewed cargo delays, road charges and coordination between border agencies at Tunduma.

The talks took place at the Tunduma–Nakonde one-stop border post on 4–5 November, Tanzania’s Ministry of Industry and Trade said on 6 November. A joint trade committee had identified 20 barriers in May. Seven had been resolved by the time of the November meeting, the ministry said.

Freight and clearing representatives reported customs delays, problems with truck scales, limited parking and delays in obtaining permits. They also raised council charges, the security of cargo in transit and communication between the two countries’ customs systems.

Participants proposed expanding pre-arrival clearance, which lets officials review cargo information before a truck reaches the border. They also called for better truck parking, safer transport and closer coordination between customs agencies. The ministry’s account gave no deadlines for carrying out those proposals.

The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency coordinated the meeting with institutions from both countries. Simon Ng’ona, a Zambian trade official who co-chaired the talks, singled out the movement of agricultural goods as a reason to address the barriers, the Tanzanian ministry said.

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