Uganda and Tanzania have opened high-level negotiations in Dar es Salaam to dismantle persistent tariff and non-tariff barriers hampering regional trade, in a move aimed at boosting economic integration between the East African neighbors.
The fifth session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), which began Wednesday, brings together senior government officials to tackle restrictions affecting agricultural exports, manufactured goods and transport services. Uganda’s delegation is led by Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation, alongside High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ambassador Fred Mwesigye.
Talks follow technical experts’ consultations and will escalate to Permanent Secretaries’ sessions before a ministerial summit scheduled for Friday, March 13. The discussions stem from a February presidential directive calling for swift removal of trade obstacles at shared borders.
Bilateral trade volume jumped from $1.36 billion in 2023 to $2.23 billion in 2024, signaling deepening commercial ties. However, a stark imbalance persists: Uganda’s exports to Tanzania reached approximately $185 million, while imports from Tanzania neared $2.0 billion. Customs delays, licensing disputes and quality standard disagreements top the agenda.
The talks align with recent East African Community (EAC) commitments to form a Trade Remedies Committee for resolving such disputes within a legal framework. Intra-EAC trade currently represents less than 20%of members’ total commerce, underscoring the need for breakthroughs.
Success here could accelerate regional infrastructure projects and strengthen the bloc’s common market. Observers see the Dar es Salaam summit as a critical test of political will to translate presidential directives into tangible trade liberalization.
