The Tripartite Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee says three agreements were signed in October 2023 to improve trade and transport between Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.
Fergus Gondwe, Director of Technical Services in Malawi’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works, disclosed this during the 8th Tripartite Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee (NDCMC) meeting in Lusaka.
Delegates from the three countries are meeting for five days to discuss how they can enhance trade relations.
The agreements—the Nacala Development Corridor Agreement, the Tripartite Road Transport Agreement, and the Tripartite Rail Transport Agreement—highlight the commitment to smoothen transport and trade.
At the meeting, Fernando Ouana, leading Mozambique’s delegation, advocated for increased rail transport to cut transaction costs and road accidents.
Fredrick Mwalusaka, Permanent Secretary for Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, emphasized Zambia’s dedication to developing the Nacala and Beira corridors.
He urged countries to address trade barriers through customs harmonization and implementing the “User Pay Principle” and standardised quality assurance.
As part of efforts to enhance the Nacala Corridor, the NDCMC created ten sector cluster groups to encourage collaboration at the individual agency level.
The World Bank Group, a key partner, supported reducing trade costs, enhancing value chain development, and improving infrastructure along the Nacala Development Corridor.
These efforts, under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity project, aim to boost market access and economic growth in the region.
