Tanzania has lifted its recently imposed ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, the government announced late on Friday, signaling a move towards diplomatic resolution after a brief trade dispute.
Joseph Ndunguru, Director General of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), said the decision to lift the ban was effective immediately to pave the way for “a diplomatic ministerial discussion.” He added that both Malawi and South Africa had approached Tanzania separately to seek a peaceful settlement through dialogue.
Earlier this week, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture banned all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa in retaliation for trade restrictions placed on Tanzanian goods by the two nations. The government had also halted fertilizer exports to Malawi — a significant blow, as Malawi depends on Tanzanian fertilizer supplies. The export ban on fertilizer has now been lifted as well.
Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa are all members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc aimed at promoting economic cooperation.
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, welcomed Tanzania’s decision, emphasizing that it demonstrated the strength of ties between the countries.
“This outcome shows that diplomacy remains the most effective way to resolve challenges. Cooperation and mutual understanding can open doors to shared opportunities,” Lamola said in a statement.
The dispute was triggered after Malawi banned imports of Tanzanian commodities such as maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas. South Africa also stopped importing bananas from Tanzania, escalating tensions before the recent diplomatic breakthrough.
