Published: 9 hours ago

Zimbabwe and Zambia have agreed to remove all trade barriers between the two countries by March next year, a major step expected to strengthen economic cooperation and boost regional integration. The development was announced in a joint communiqué released after the inaugural Zimbabwe–Zambia Bi-National Commission (BNC), which was held in Harare yesterday and attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, President Hakainde Hichilema and senior government officials from both nations.

According to the communiqué, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic ties and pledged to finalise a bilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement that will guide future engagements. Zimbabwe informed the meeting that its Cabinet had already approved the scrapping of transit duties on petroleum products, while other measures to address remaining trade barriers were incorporated into the country's 2026 National Budget, which comes into effect on November 27, 2025. The two sides agreed that technical discussions would continue on a quarterly basis, with the process expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.

Energy cooperation also featured prominently in the talks. Zimbabwe committed to supporting Zambia's electricity imports from the region by progressively increasing the limit on power transfer capacity through Zimbabwean transmission lines. This arrangement is expected to ease Zambia's access to regional power supplies.

The inaugural BNC session saw the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding covering diplomatic training, immigration and technical cooperation, labour and employment, agriculture, and youth development. Officials said these agreements are expected to enhance collaboration across key sectors and solidify institutional ties between the two countries.

The communiqué further revealed that Zimbabwe and Zambia had agreed to implement 24-hour operations at the Chirundu and Victoria Falls One Stop Border Posts by the end of this year. Both sides stressed that improving transport connectivity remains essential for promoting trade and investment, noting that upgraded infrastructure will reduce bottlenecks and facilitate smoother movement of goods and people.

The two countries also acknowledged the importance of ensuring that shared assets remain commercially viable. They commended the progress made by their Surveyors General on the boundary reaffirmation exercise and encouraged continued reconnaissance along the shared border from Victoria Falls to Kazungula. Additionally, they agreed to install floating buoys on Lake Kariba to clearly mark and enhance monitoring of the boundary.

On diplomatic matters, Zambia pledged to continue advocating for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, describing them as a hindrance to development efforts. Both nations reiterated their commitment to ongoing cooperation in peace and security at bilateral, regional and global levels. They also emphasised the need for sustained dialogue on regional, continental and international issues to strengthen strategic alignment.

The two governments agreed that the Second Session of the Bi-National Commission will be held by November 2027 in Lusaka, Zambia, marking the next step in their efforts to institutionalise high-level engagement and cooperation.
- The Herald

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