Tanzania Revokes Ban on Agricultural Imports from Malawi and South Africa

Tanzania announced the reversal of its recent prohibition on agricultural imports originating from Malawi and South Africa on Friday. This decision comes shortly after Tanzania implemented the ban in response to similar restrictive measures enforced by the two southern African nations.

Joseph Ndunguru, Director General of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), stated that the revocation, effective immediately, is intended to facilitate “a diplomatic ministerial discussion” to resolve the matter.

Reportedly, Malawi and South Africa each reached out independently, expressing a desire to address the trade impasse through diplomatic channels.

Previously, Tanzania’s agriculture ministry had announced a ban on all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa on Wednesday. Additionally, they had restricted the export of Tanzanian fertilizer to Malawi. The prohibition on fertilizer exports to Malawi has also been rescinded.

Notably, Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa are member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic alliance.

Malawi had recently placed restrictions on Tanzanian agricultural goods such as maize flour, rice, ginger, bananas, and various other products. Likewise, South Africa had also halted banana imports from Tanzania.