Preparations for the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Ministerial Meeting between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia have been successfully concluded following the completion of the Permanent Secretaries’ Joint Committee meeting held today, May 6, 2026, at the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Tunduma. The Permanent Secretaries’ meeting marked the final stage of preparations ahead of the Ministerial Session scheduled for May 7, 2026, which aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development between the two neighbouring countries.
During the session, the Permanent Secretaries reviewed, discussed, and endorsed recommendations and agenda items submitted by the Experts’ Meeting held from May 4–5, 2026. The agreed agenda will now be presented to the Ministers for final decisions and implementation directives. The JTC meeting is expected to assess progress made in implementing resolutions from previous sessions, address emerging cross-border trade challenges, and establish joint strategies to deepen economic and commercial cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia.
Zambia remains one of Tanzania’s key trading partners within the Southern African Development Community region, with trade volumes between the two countries continuing to grow due to strong diplomatic relations and the effective use of strategic infrastructure, including the TAZARA Railway, the Port of Dar es Salaam, and the TANZAM Highway connecting the two nations. Furthermore, the Tunduma–Nakonde border continues to serve as a vital regional trade gateway for SADC member states, facilitating the daily movement of hundreds of cargo trucks transporting goods across the region.
This strategic role reinforces Tanzania’s position as a key trade and logistics hub for land-linked countries in Southern Africa. The Tanzanian delegation to the meeting included Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Peter L. M. Msoffe; Ambassador Thobias Makoba, Director of Global Strategy and Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, representing the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary; senior government officials from various institutions; and private sector stakeholders led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Aristides Mbwasi.
