Zambia and Malawi have renewed efforts to strengthen small-scale cross-border trade through the implementation of the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR). A bilateral meeting held in Chipata brought together senior government officials, border agencies, and trade stakeholders to review the STR’s progress and identify opportunities for improvement. The meeting aimed to enhance operational efficiency, remove barriers, and support traders who rely on cross-border commerce for their livelihoods.
The discussions were co-chaired by Mrs. Margaret Chikuba, Director of Domestic Trade and Commerce in Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and Mrs. Catherine Chilima, Director of Trade in Malawi’s Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism. Key topics included the designation of additional border posts under the STR, removal of non-tariff barriers, harmonisation of procedures, and strategies to improve operational efficiency.
Mrs. Chikuba highlighted the STR’s role in simplifying customs procedures and reducing transaction costs. She noted that the initiative particularly benefits women and youth who engage in small-scale trade. She called for better coordination among border agencies, increased trader awareness, and harmonised procedures to ensure a consistent and efficient trading environment across borders.
Mrs. Chilima commended both countries for maintaining momentum since their last bilateral meeting in 2023. She outlined Malawi’s priorities, which include improving STR efficiency and inclusiveness, addressing non-tariff barriers, and ensuring strong public health and environmental safeguards.
Representatives from TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the COMESA Secretariat pledged to support capacity building, enhanced border operations, and data-driven decision-making. Their involvement is expected to improve the trading experience for small-scale traders and provide measurable benefits for cross-border commerce.
The meeting’s outcomes are set to deliver practical improvements for traders and strengthen regional integration. The strong leadership of both co-chairs, combined with continued collaboration with TMA and COMESA, underscores Zambia and Malawi’s shared commitment to facilitating small-scale trade through practical, coordinated solutions.
This bilateral engagement reflects the growing focus on regional cooperation to create an efficient, inclusive, and trader-friendly environment under the COMESA STR framework.