Tanzania Briefs PAP Trade Committee on Policy Adjustments for AfCFTA Implementation

Tanzania's Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Selemani Jafo, has at a recent meeting with the Pan-African Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters, outlined key adjustments the country has made to its trade policy to align with regional trade agreements and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

It would be recalled that Tanzania ratified the AfCFTA in September 2021, marking a significant step in its trade strategy. Dr. Jafo highlighted that this milestone was not reflected in the previous trade policy, necessitating updates to accommodate the new trade framework. He also emphasized Tanzania's leading role as one of the eight pioneer countries participating in the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). The GTI aims to assess the operational, institutional, legal, and policy frameworks within the AfCFTA, while encouraging confidence among African economic players.

The eight countries involved in this initiative are Tanzania, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tunisia, and Rwanda. Through this initiative, these nations are testing the AfCFTA’s practical implementation and laying the groundwork for wider adoption across the continent.

A delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) recently conducted a fact-finding mission to assess Tanzania’s progress with the GTI. During the meeting, PAP parliamentarians expressed their hope that more African nations would follow Tanzania’s lead in adjusting their trade policies to facilitate regional trade, as many countries still face challenges in this area.

Dr. Jafo noted that the revised National Trade Policy, introduced last year, aims to improve Tanzania’s trade relations with neighboring countries and expand its participation in regional and international markets. Successes include stronger trade ties within the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the AfCFTA. Additionally, Tanzania has seen expanded access to markets in China—where 98 percent of its exports are duty-free—India, as well as through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the European Union.

As part of the fact-finding mission, the PAP delegation will visit the Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP), a key crossing between Tanzania and Kenya. The OSBP serves as a model for easing trade and movement across borders, thanks to improved road infrastructure and streamlined customs procedures. This visit provided the delegation with valuable insights into how such initiatives are facilitating the free movement of goods and people between the two countries.

The findings from this mission will be compiled into a report, which will be presented at the next Pan-African Parliament Ordinary Session. This report will play a critical role in assessing the progress of AfCFTA implementation through the GTI, and in promoting its adoption across more African countries, with an emphasis on facilitating the free movement of goods and people as a cornerstone of the AfCFTA.