Chipata – Zambia and Malawi have held a bilateral meeting in Chipata to strengthen small scale cross border trade under the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime, a framework that continues to shape informal and small trader activity across the region, including Eswatini.
Senior government officials, border agencies and trade stakeholders from both countries met to assess how the regime is being implemented and to agree on ways to improve its effectiveness. The talks focused on making cross border trading easier, cheaper and more predictable for traders who rely on daily movement of goods.
The meeting was co chaired by Margaret Chikuba, Director of Domestic Trade and Commerce in Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, and Catherine Chilima, Director of Trade in Malawi’s Ministry of Industrialisation Business Trade and Tourism. Discussions centred on the possible designation of more border posts under the regime, removal of non tariff barriers, harmonisation of procedures and improvements in operational efficiency. 
Chikuba told delegates that the simplified trade regime plays a central role in reducing transaction costs and easing customs processes, particularly for women and young people whose livelihoods depend on cross border trade. She called for stronger coordination among border agencies, improved awareness among traders and aligned procedures to ensure smoother operations.
Chilima said both countries had maintained progress since their last bilateral meeting in 2023. She outlined Malawi’s priorities which include improving efficiency and inclusiveness of the regime, dealing with non tariff barriers and strengthening public health and environmental safeguards at border points.
Representatives from TradeMark Africa and the COMESA Secretariat also attended the meeting and pledged continued support in capacity building, improved border operations and the use of data to guide decisions aimed at improving the experience of small scale traders.
