Trade tensions are intensifying in southern Africa as Tanzania imposed a ban on all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, citing discriminatory trade practices and unfair barriers against its own exports. The decision, announced by Tanzanian Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe, took effect at midnight on April 18, immediately impacting the normally busy Kasumulu border post, where dozens of trucks carrying agricultural goods typically cross daily. On Thursday, the area was visibly deserted, with many lorries parked idle, unable to transport their usual cargo of bananas, tomatoes, maize, and potatoes.
“We are taking this step to protect our business interests… We must all respect each other in trade,” Bashe stated, describing the ban as a necessary retaliation.
Root Causes of the Standoff
The trade row stems from longstanding restrictions imposed by South Africa, which has barred Tanzanian banana imports for years, and Malawi’s recent import bans, enacted in March 2025. Malawi’s measures, covering flour, rice, bananas, ginger, and maize from all sources—including Tanzania—were introduced as a temporary safeguard to protect local producers amid economic pressures. “It is a strategic move to create an environment where local businesses can thrive without the immediate pressure of foreign competition,” said Malawi’s Trade Minister Vitumbiko Mumba last month.
However, Tanzanian officials claim these actions have directly harmed local traders and violated the spirit of regional cooperation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which promote trade liberalization. Bashe shared images of rotting produce at the border—including tonnes of bananas and tomatoes—stranded due to the restrictions. He insisted that the retaliatory ban would not jeopardize food security, quipping, “No Tanzanian will die from a lack of South African grapes or apples.”
Regional Implications
The trade disruption comes as Africa marks four years of AfCFTA implementation, aimed at fostering intra-continental commerce and reducing dependency on external markets. The dispute has exposed deep cracks in regional integration efforts.
While Tanzania has alternative markets, such as Kenya, South Sudan, and Namibia, Malawi faces greater logistical challenges. As a landlocked nation, Malawi relies heavily on Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port for both exports (notably tobacco, soybeans, and sugar) and critical imports like fuel and industrial machinery. If relations remain strained, Malawi may be forced to reroute through Mozambique’s ports of Beira or Nacala, likely increasing transport costs.
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
Though diplomatic channels have so far failed to resolve the impasse, Minister Bashe confirmed fresh negotiations are ongoing, stressing that the move was not intended to start a trade war, but to demand reciprocal market access. “Tanzania will not continue to allow unequal market access to persist at the expense of its people,” he declared. South Africa and Malawi have yet to issue formal responses to Tanzania’s ban.
As regional stakeholders scramble to mediate, observers say the outcome could set a critical precedent for how intra-African trade disputes are handled under the new continental trade regime.
