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Zambia and Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations following a high-level bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Task Force (MTF) and the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT).
The meeting, convened in Harare, brought together Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira.
Beyond their shared natural wonder, Victoria Falls, the two nations underscored the enduring historical and economic bonds that unite them. In a joint statement, the ministers emphasized the need to translate regional integration goals into tangible bilateral action, guided by the principle that while poverty cannot be shared, wealth can.
“In all our aspirations under COMESA, SADC, and now the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we must begin by enhancing trade with our neighbors. That is the most realistic path to regional prosperity,” Mulenga said.
The ministers highlighted the growing importance of intra-African solidarity amid evolving global geopolitics, stressing the urgency of building stronger economic linkages between neighboring countries.
Addressing persistent challenges, the two sides acknowledged the presence of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), including surtaxes on certain originating goods, which have hindered smooth trade flows.
To tackle these obstacles, Zambia and Zimbabwe agreed to establish joint technical teams, overseen by their respective Permanent Secretaries, tasked with identifying and resolving all outstanding NTBs. The teams are expected to report tangible progress by 20 July 2025.
“These barriers are self-imposed and counterproductive. It is time to resolve them so we can unlock the full potential of our shared market,” the ministers noted.
In a related development, Minister Mulenga also held bilateral talks with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu.
Their discussions centered on accelerating regional integration and prioritizing industrialisation as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
The two ministers agreed on the importance of pursuing joint industrial ventures between the two countries, viewing them as a critical driver for enhancing production capacity, fostering inclusive economic growth, and boosting regional competitiveness under the AfCFTA framework.
This renewed commitment marks a significant step towards practical regional integration and is expected to stimulate trade, investment, and shared economic development between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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