Zimbabwe will remove all tariffs and non-tariff barriers on goods traded with Zambia by 31 December 2025, President Mnangagwa has instructed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance to implement the reforms.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe–Zambia Business Forum at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Harare today, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Murwira said, “The President instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance to remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers by 31 December 2025. This is to ensure smoother trade and economic integration between our countries.”
He described the upcoming first Zimbabwe–Zambia Bilateral Commission as a platform for translating the historic partnership into tangible benefits.
“We are the only two countries in Southern Africa that jointly own and operate assets.This should be an example of integration.
Let us trade first with each other. Only import what we cannot produce locally. We must stop competing unnecessarily when we can collaborate to grow together,”he added
Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, welcomed the announcement, saying, “Zambia sees this as a key step in strengthening regional trade. Removing barriers with Zimbabwe opens opportunities for business, investment, and collaboration for our private sectors.”
Both ministers emphasised that energy cooperation and regional integration would feature prominently at the Bilateral Commission.
Professor Murwira added, “Energy and trade are central to our economies. By removing these barriers, we are creating opportunities for our people and our businesses to thrive.”
Mulenga echoed the sentiment, stating, “Our ministries are committed to ensuring that this process is transparent, timely, and delivers real benefits for citizens on both sides of the border.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe-Zambia business forum was running under the theme, “Unlocking shared Growth: Building Zimbabwe-Zambia Value Chains for Regional Competitiveness,”
