During a meeting with Members of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters , the Minister for Trade and Industry of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Selemani Jafo, highlighted the government’s adjustments to the trade policy aimed at accommodating new developments, such as regional trade agreements.
In September 2021, Tanzania ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which had not been addressed in the previous trade policy. Additionally, Tanzania is one of the pioneers of the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). The GTI aims to test the operational, institutional, legal, and trade policy environment under the AfCFTA, while also sending a positive message to African economic operators.
The eight pioneer countries participating in this initiative are Tanzania, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tunisia, and Rwanda.
The fact-finding mission by the Pan-African Parliament delegation seeks to gather information on Tanzania's progress in implementing the GTI. Pan-African Parliamentarians expressed hope that many African countries will follow Tanzania’s example, as trade policies have often posed the greatest challenge to regional trade.
Dr. Jafo emphasized that the revised National Trade Policy effected last year is designed to enhance Tanzania’s participation and integration in trade with neighboring countries, regionally and internationally. Some of the success stories include the growth of trade with the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and AfCFTA, as well as the expansion into markets such as China—where 98 percent of Tanzanian products are sold duty-free—India, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and the European Union.
As part of the fact-finding mission, which includes engagements with various government and business stakeholders, the Pan-African Parliament delegation will visit the Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP)—a critical crossing point between Tanzania and Kenya. This visit will offer firsthand insights into how the OSBP, along with improvements in road infrastructure and customs procedures, has facilitated the free movement of people and goods between the two countries.
The findings from this mission will be compiled into a report to be presented at the next Pan-African Parliament Ordinary Session. This report will help the Parliament assess the progress of AfCFTA implementation through the GTI and promote its adoption across other African nations, with free movement of goods and people as a key element.
