Tanzania and Malawi have officially ended their trade dispute, agreeing to lift restrictions that had affected the movement of goods between both countries. After holding bilateral talks, the two nations reached an agreement called the Simplified Trade Regime Agreement (STRA), which also involves South Africa, a major trading country in the region that was affected by the conflict.
The Tanzanian Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, said in a statement released early this month that all previous trade restrictions have now been removed. He confirmed that both countries have shown renewed interest in working together to promote trade, strengthen economic ties, and settle the disputes that caused tension over the past weeks.
According to the joint communique signed by senior government officials from both sides, Tanzania and Malawi have agreed to finalise the necessary legal frameworks to make the STRA active. They plan to complete all domestic legal processes by May 30, 2025. The communique was signed by Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and his Malawian counterpart, Nancy Gladys Tembo. The agreement marks the official end of what had become a prolonged trade war between the two neighbouring countries.
The trade row had started when Malawi placed a ban on certain agricultural products imported from Tanzania. In retaliation, the Tanzanian government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, issued countermeasures that affected goods coming from Malawi. The tit-for-tat measures disrupted trade and strained relations between the two East African countries.
However, in a move towards peace, Tanzania lifted the import ban on plant and plant products from Malawi on April 23, 2025. This step by Tanzania encouraged the Malawian government to also ease restrictions that had affected trade flows. Malawi’s government pledged to assist in the free movement of imports and exports between the two countries.
The dispute did not only affect Tanzania and Malawi. South Africa also found itself caught in the middle after it blocked agricultural products from Tanzania. Tanzania then responded by placing its own restrictions on goods from South Africa. Now, according to Minister Bashe, all the restrictions from all sides, including those involving South Africa, have been suspended.
Trade experts believe the resolution of the conflict is a positive development for economic cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also shows that diplomatic channels and dialogue remain key tools in solving cross-border trade issues in Africa.
The STRA, once fully implemented, is expected to reduce trade barriers, simplify customs procedures, and make it easier for small-scale traders to move goods across borders. This will benefit farmers, traders, and businesses in Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa. Government officials also believe that implementing the STRA will strengthen trust between the countries and support long-term regional integration.
Business observers note that resolving such trade disagreements peacefully is important for maintaining investor confidence and stability in the region. With this agreement, both countries are expected to resume normal trade activities, especially in agricultural produce, which is a major economic driver for both nations.
Tanzania and Malawi have promised to keep working together to avoid future disputes. They also pledged to strengthen trade relations through policy improvements and regular dialogue among trade and foreign affairs ministries.
