Tanzania has reversed its ban on fertiliser exports to Malawi, easing tensions that recently escalated among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. The initial ban, announced on Wednesday, 23 April, had restricted all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa and halted fertiliser exports to Malawi—a country heavily reliant on Tanzanian fertiliser for its agricultural needs.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, welcomed Tanzania’s decision to lift the fertiliser export ban. “This outcome demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges. Cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities,” Lamola said in an official statement.
The dispute unfolded amid a series of tit-for-tat trade restrictions. Malawi had earlier banned imports of several Tanzanian agricultural commodities, including maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas. In response, Tanzania imposed its own restrictions, which were followed by South Africa blocking banana imports from Tanzania.
Although all three countries are members of SADC—an economic bloc promoting regional integration and free trade—the recent developments highlight growing friction in agricultural trade policies among neighbours.
The lifting of the fertiliser export ban marks a positive step towards restoring trade stability in the region, but broader diplomatic efforts may be needed to address the underlying issues and prevent further disruption to cross-border agricultural flows.