• Zimbabwe to host the 40th SADC Technical Barriers to Trade conference from March 24 to 28, 2025, in Victoria Falls
  • The conference aims to address trade barriers and enhance economic collaboration among SADC member states
  • Despite the establishment of a Free Trade Area in 2008, trade barriers within SADC continue to hinder the free flow of goods, services, and investments

Harare-Zimbabwe is set to host the 40th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Cooperation Structure conference from March 24 to 28, 2025, at the Peniel Retreat Centre in Victoria Falls, according to the latest SADC press release.

This five-day summit aims to tackle trade barriers and enhance economic collaboration among SADC member states.

The meetings of the SADC TBT Cooperation Structures have the overall objective of facilitating dialogue between institutions of the member states dealing with standardisation, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology (SQAM) issues.

The primary goal of the summit is to expedite the harmonisation of standards, improve quality assurance, and facilitate trade across the 16-member bloc.

Central to the discussions will be the SADC Protocol on Trade, which focuses on promoting smooth trade by eliminating unnecessary regulatory challenges.

Key areas of focus will include standardisation, accreditation, legal metrology, technical regulations, and stakeholder involvement.

These structures are vital for ensuring that regional standards align with international benchmarks, enhancing the recognition of conformity assessments, ensuring compliance in measurement for fair trade practices, and streamlining policies to foster a transparent regulatory environment.

Trade Barriers in SADC

Trade barriers within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) persist despite efforts to establish a Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2008 and promote regional integration. These barriers hinder the free flow of goods, services, and investments among the 16 member states.

Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)

Despite harmonisation efforts, customs processes remain inefficient in many SADC countries. Delays at border posts, such as the Trans-Kalahari Border Post between Namibia and Botswana, are common due to excessive documentation and inconsistent application of rules. Documents in languages other than English, such as Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique, often require translation, adding time and cost.

Multiple and costly transit bonds are required for goods crossing several borders, particularly affecting landlocked countries like Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. These fees increase the cost of trade, especially for goods transiting through South Africa, a regional hub. Differing product standards, certification requirements, and sanitary/phytosanitary (SPS) measures create further obstacles. Additionally, business visas are still required in some member states, including Angola, DRC, and Madagascar, impeding the movement of traders and service providers, although they can be obtained on arrival for holders of certain passports.

Tariff Barriers

Although the SADC Protocol on Trade (ratified in 2000 and amended in 2010) eliminated tariffs on 85% of intra-SADC goods by 2008, some tariffs remain on sensitive products. Member states can shield certain sectors, such as agriculture and sugar, from full liberalisation, leading to uneven tariff reductions. The Sugar Agreement allows sugar-producing states like Eswatini and South Africa to maintain protective duties, limiting free trade in this sector.

Infrastructure and Logistics Challenges

Poor transport networks hinder trade, as weak customs infrastructure and inadequate roads, especially in landlocked countries, increase transit times and costs. The reliance on South Africa’s ports, such as Durban, for exports exacerbates bottlenecks, as seen in Zimbabwe, where over a third of government revenue comes from tariffs on goods flowing through South Africa.

Multiple border crossings for landlocked states, such as those from Malawi to Mozambique, amplify delays, a problem SADC is addressing through initiatives like Namibia’s Coordinated Border Management Strategy, launched in 2025.

Policy and Regulatory Misalignment

Many SADC countries belong to multiple trade groups, creating conflicting obligations. South Africa and Botswana are part of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zambia is in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Tanzania is in the East African Community (EAC). These overlapping memberships undermine the SADC Customs Union, which has been stalled since its 2010 target.

Some states impose quantitative restrictions or subsidies to protect local industries, contravening the SADC FTA’s goals. Import and export quotas persist from pre-2000 agreements, although efforts are underway to phase them out.

Economic and External Factors

The lack of hard currency in countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi complicates trade settlements, forcing reliance on the South African rand or US dollars, which smaller economies struggle to access.

Stronger SADC economies, including South Africa and Angola, are more integrated with non-SADC partners like China and India than with the region, reducing intra-SADC trade, which currently constitutes only 5-10% of total trade.

Efforts to Address Barriers

The NTB Monitoring Mechanism, established by the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with COMESA and EAC, identifies and resolves NTBs, although its effectiveness is limited by slow implementation.

In 2021, Malawi and Zambia agreed to review the Simplified Trade Regime to expand eligible products, a step echoed in talks between Botswana and Zimbabwe for easier border movement.

The 2025 Namibia Time Release Study for the Trans-Kalahari Border Post aims to reduce bottlenecks, reflecting SADC’s focus on trade facilitation.

Therefore, this conference is of paramount importance as it addresses critical barriers to trade within the SADC region. By fostering dialogue among member states, the summit will facilitate the harmonization of standards, improve quality assurance, and streamline regulatory processes.

This collaborative effort is essential for enhancing economic integration and competitiveness, ultimately positioning SADC as a more formidable bloc in the global market.

As Zimbabwe hosts the 40th SADC Technical Barriers to Trade Cooperation Structure conference, it presents a vital opportunity to overcome persistent trade challenges, paving the way for a more efficient and interconnected regional economy.

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