By Joseph Dumbula
The COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite is conducting a capacity-building programme for border officials at the Chiponde-Mandimba border post between Malawi and Mozambique as part of efforts to strengthen implementation of the Tripartite Simplified Trade Regime (TSTR).
The Tripartite is an umbrella framework bringing together three regional economic communities—the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Comprising 26 member countries, the Tripartite seeks to accelerate regional economic integration, facilitate the movement of goods and strengthen trade among countries across Eastern and Southern Africa.
According to a statement, the training targets customs and revenue authorities, immigration officers, police, clearing agents, trade officials and cross-border traders, bringing together key stakeholders involved in managing and facilitating movement across the border.
The programme is designed to improve the facilitation of small-scale cross-border trade, particularly along the Nacala Corridor and other major trade routes linking Malawi and Mozambique.
The initiative also seeks to simplify and harmonise existing simplified trade regimes across COMESA, EAC and SADC while reducing trade costs, administrative barriers and other obstacles faced by small-scale traders.
It is further expected to contribute to the formalisation of informal trade, strengthen regional value chains and improve access to markets, particularly for women and young people who play a significant role in small-scale cross-border commerce.
During the workshop, traders raised concerns over the valuation of goods purchased from villages near the border, noting that receipts are often unavailable for such transactions. They argued that customs valuations that are higher than the actual purchase price can increase VAT payments and significantly reduce their profit margins.
Authorities, meanwhile, highlighted security and regulatory compliance challenges, including the risk of prohibited, counterfeit or potentially harmful goods being concealed within otherwise legitimate consignments.
Participants discussed the importance of striking a balance between effective inspection and enforcement measures and the need to facilitate legitimate small-scale trade without imposing unnecessary delays or costs on traders.
The programme is also being used to increase awareness and understanding of the TSTR among traders, border authorities and communities surrounding key border crossings, with the aim of encouraging greater use of formal regional trading arrangements.
The initiative supports the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the regional integration agendas of COMESA, EAC and SADC. The programme is being implemented with technical and financial support from AGRA.
The capacity-building programme is expected to continue at the Calomue-Dedza border posts between Malawi and Mozambique from September 11 to 12, 2026.
The activities form part of wider Tripartite efforts to strengthen stakeholder capacity, facilitate trade along strategic regional corridors and support effective implementation of the TSTR as Eastern and Southern African countries pursue deeper economic integration.
