Trade volume between Tanzania and Zimhabwe has rapidly grown rising from 21.1bn/- in 2017 to 115.9bn/- in 2023, as the two countries work to boost bilateral ties.

This trend was highlighted by Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango when receiving his Zimbabwean counterpart Kembo Mohadi at the State House in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, a VPO statement indicated.

It said that the two countries agreed to strengthen their historical relations and expand economic cooperation following the two-day official visit by Zimbabwean VP, taking place on Saturday and Sunday where the talks were its main highlight. 

The discussions focused on the need to align the partnership dating back to days of the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe with the current global economic landscape, with the two countries identifying key sectors for enhanced cooperation.

These include mining, agriculture, tourism, education and health, where the host VP encouraged traders in Zimbabwe to take up Tanzanian products such as rice, iron sheets and cement, while inviting Zimbabwean investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania. 

The two leaders also agreed to promote greater utilization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) now operating as a free trade area to boost bilateral trade, the statement noted.

The talks also dwelt on collaborating on international issues of mutual interest, citing shared opposition to sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, with analysts figuring out that the security situation in Mozambique and DRC was also touched upon.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1980 following Zimbabwe’s independence, then formed a joint permanent commission for cooperation  in 1982, facilitating collaboration across various sectors, including defense, trade, and culture. 

Current cooperation extends to areas such as transportation, security and climate change, it added.