Tanzania has lifted its recently imposed ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) announced late Friday. The decision, effective immediately, follows diplomatic outreach by both countries seeking a resolution through dialogue. The ban, introduced just days earlier by Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, was a retaliatory measure after Malawi and South Africa imposed restrictions on Tanzanian agricultural goods. In addition to halting imports, Tanzania had also banned the export of its fertilizer to Malawi, a country heavily reliant on Tanzanian supplies. That fertilizer export ban has also now been lifted.
TPHPA Director General Joseph Ndunguru confirmed that the reversal aims to pave the way for a “diplomatic ministerial discussion” to settle the trade disputes amicably. The three countries are all members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which promotes regional integration and economic cooperation. The dispute originated when Malawi banned the import of Tanzanian commodities such as maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas, while South Africa stopped the import of Tanzanian bananas over alleged concerns about plant health standards.
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, welcomed Tanzania’s decision, emphasizing that “the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges” and praising the commitment to cooperation and mutual opportunity. The rapid resolution underscores the importance of diplomatic engagement in maintaining regional trade and economic stability across southern Africa.
