Africa-Press – Tanzania. DODOMA: Trade volume between Tanzania and Malawi has increased sharply over the past five years, rising from USD 46.886 million (approximately 114.88bn/-) in 2020 to USD 77.679 million (about 190.33bn/-), with Dar es Salaam exporting more to Lilongwe, according to a Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE)’s latest report.
The 2025 TANTRADE report, made available to the Daily News, indicates that trade between the two countries has consistently remained in Tanzania’s favour over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.
To sustain the positive growth trend between the two SADC member states, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Agnes Kayola, told the Daily News that the Commission is working to ensure the signing of the Agreement on the Simplified Trade Regime between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi.
Quoting the 2025 TANTRADE report, the envoy said Tanzania’s main exports to Malawi include soap, organic surface-active agents, washing and lubricating preparations, mineral fuels and oils and products of their distillation.
Other exports are bituminous substances, essential oils and resinoids, perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations, salt, Sulphur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime and cement, glass and glassware, as well as beverages, spirits and vinegar.
On the other hand, she said that from 2020 to 2024 Tanzania imported various goods from Malawi, including residues and waste from the food industries, prepared animal fodder, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits, industrial or medicinal plants, wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal, tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, whether or not containing nicotine.
The diplomat explained that in addition to working closely with Lilongwe to ensure the signing of the Simplified Trade Regime Agreement, her office is taking other measures to boost trade, including organising the Tanzania–Malawi Trade and Investment Forum.
“Another step is to ensure that our national airline, Air Tanzania (ATCL), begins operating flights to Malawi. Agreements have already been signed to facilitate the implementation of this plan. Launching flights to Malawi using our own aircraft is another important step towards further strengthening our country’s economy,” the High Commissioner told the Daily News.
Following the recent general elections in the two neighbouring countries, which saw the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) emerge victorious in Malawi and Tanzania respectively, Kayola noted the need to identify new areas of cooperation in line with the ruling parties’ manifestos.
In a bid to boost Tanzania’s medical tourism drive, the High Commission in Malawi also coordinated a visit by a team of medical specialists from Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) as part of preparations for an outreach camp offering specialised medical services.
The team, led by BMH Chief Executive Officer Prof Abel Makubi, also explored opportunities for cooperation in various areas, including joint research initiatives.
The medical specialists held discussions with Malawi’s Ministry of Health Principal Secretary, Dr Dan Namarika, and both sides agreed that a medical camp would be conducted in Malawi before the end of March 2026.
According to the High Commissioner’s office, it was also agreed that the Principal Secretary, accompanied by a team of Malawian doctors, will visit Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma to observe the progress made by the facility and other local health institutions.
