The 14th Ordinary Meeting of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) Inter-State Council of Ministers is underway in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, who is representing Malawi, has joined his counterparts at the meeting which is currently being chaired by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Malawi is expected to take over the chairmanship of the Inter-State Council from the DRC.
The meeting revolves around initiatives and projects in the Central Corridor, a vital trade route connecting landlocked countries to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
The route plays a significant role in promoting economic growth, poverty reduction and regional cooperation among member states.
The meeting involves seven countries: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Malawi. It mainly focuses on enhancing regional trade, streamlining transit procedures, reducing trade costs and promoting economic integration.
Preliminary meetings by officials from the participating countries began on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 and tackled ongoing and proposed projects such as railway development like the Dar es Salaam to Isaka to Kigali Railway, road construction and the issue of constructing offices for the organisation.
CCTTFA Inter-State Council meetings play a crucial role in shaping regional trade policies and infrastructure development by fostering cooperation among member states to improve corridor performance, reduce transport costs and enhance regional connectivity.
As a landlocked country, Malawi imports most of its goods, including fuel and vehicles, through the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
By Mayeso Chikhadzula, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
