Intra SADC trade wars intensify as Tanzania bans SA, Malawi produce

Zim Now Writer 

Tanzania has announced a ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, citing retaliation for similar trade restrictions imposed by both countries.

This move comes amid ongoing trade disputes within the Southern African Development Community, the regional economic bloc to which all three countries belong.

Tanzania had previously demanded that Malawi and South Africa lift their bans on Tanzanian agricultural products, such as maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas, by Wednesday. However, as these demands were not met, Tanzania's Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe confirmed the new bans in a video posted on his X account.

“We will no longer allow any agricultural products from South Africa into our country,” Bashe said, adding that the same measure would apply to Malawi. Furthermore, Tanzania will prohibit the transit of agricultural goods from other countries through its territory to landlocked Malawi. The ban also extends to the export of Tanzanian fertilizer to Malawi.

Bashe explained that these actions were necessary to protect Tanzania's business interests. He emphasized that the trade measures are part of the broader effort to ensure fair business practices among the nations.

Despite the bans, he confirmed that Tanzania would continue talks with both Malawi and South Africa to resolve the ongoing trade disputes.