Tanzania intra-SADC trade decline by 15 pc

Zambian President Edgar Lungu with Magufuli

By Mnaku Mbani

Tanzania’s intra-SADC trade declined by 15.5 percent to USD 1,697.3 million in 2015 from the amount recorded in preceding year.The Bank of Tanzania Economic Operations and annual report for the year ended in June 2015 published mid this month this development was attributed to a decrease in both exports and imports.

Tanzania recorded a surplus trade balance with South Africa, DRC, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Swaziland and Seychelles since its imports remained relatively low compared to exports.

However, Tanzania’s recorded a trade deficit with Mozambique, Namibia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Botswana and Lesotho mainly due to increased imports. 

Meanwhile, South Africa remained the major trading partner of Tanzania accounting for about 70.0 percent of Tanzania’s intra-SADC trade.

In 2015, the shares of exports to South Africa and Malawi in total Tanzania’s intra-SADC exports rose to 65.5 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively compared to 55.9 percent and 3.3 percent recorded in 2014.

On the other hand, the share of Tanzania’s exports to DRC declined to 19.2 percent in 2015 from 22.8 percent registered in 2014. However, DRC and South Africa account for the highest trade surplus with Tanzania, compared with other countries.

South Africa was also the leading source of Tanzania’s intra-SADC imports accounting for 76.8 percent during the review period, followed by Zambia with 5.6 percent, Madagascar 5.0 percent, Malawi 4.9 and Mozambique 3.7 percent.

Tanzania’s major exports to the SADC region were gold, cigarettes, wheat flour, juice, ceramic, fish, glass, cement, soap, footwear and bricks, while major imports were motor vehicles, maize seeds, gas, iron sheet, lubricant, bear, apples, sugar and sewing needles.

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