In Dar es Salaam, representatives from the parliamentary forum of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the agency managing the Central Corridor signed a three-year cooperation agreement. Daily News reported that the memorandum of understanding targets the reduction of transport expenses and the simplification of customs processes. The initiative links legislative dialogue with practical logistics improvements to support regional economic integration.
Dr Deo Mwapinga, the forum’s secretary general, explained that inconsistent national laws and high logistics costs currently limit market access for farmers and consumers. He argued that the success of regional integration should be judged by its tangible effects on daily life, such as more reliable services and affordable goods. Advocate Okandju Flory, head of the corridor agency, added that the framework would enhance political backing for infrastructure projects and enable lawmakers to review corridor developments with evidence-based scrutiny. The parties agreed to designate specific staff members within thirty days and draft a joint operational plan within ninety days.
Meanwhile, in Luanda, Namibia’s head of state addressed the first meeting of the joint commission with Angola. AllAfrica noted that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described the shared frontier as a potential pathway for economic growth instead of an obstacle. She advocated for tighter coordination among immigration and customs officials to facilitate legitimate trade flows. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that citizens care more about practical outcomes than the sheer number of signed treaties, referencing a 2024 audit that cataloged over sixty existing bilateral deals.
The Namibian leader also highlighted potential synergies in energy, specifically around the Lobito Refinery and a new inter-connector project. Both the East African and Southern African initiatives prioritize the removal of non-tariff barriers to help small and medium-sized enterprises. These efforts aim to make cross-border commerce more predictable and cost-effective for businesses operating across multiple national jurisdictions.