Tanzania has rescinded its ban on agricultural imports. This decision comes just days after the ban was enacted in response to similar restrictions imposed by both southern African countries.
Joseph Ndunguru, the director general of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), stated that the ban is being lifted immediately to facilitate “diplomatic ministerial discussions.” He noted that both countries had reached out individually in an effort to address the trade conflict through dialogue.
Earlier in the week, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture had prohibited all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa and had also halted the export of Tanzanian fertilizer to Malawi, which is dependent on these supplies. This restriction on fertilizer exports to Malawi has now also been revoked.
All three nations are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic bloc.
Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, expressed approval of Tanzania’s decision to lift the ban, emphasising the strong ties between the two countries. He remarked, “This outcome demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges… cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities,” as stated in a press release.
Recently, Malawi had imposed a ban on imports of various Tanzanian agricultural products, including maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas, while South Africa had also halted the import of bananas from Tanzania.
