What Malawi’s addition to Central Corridor means for regional trade: summary

What we know

• The Republic of Malawi has joined the Central Corridor Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) agreement which is a major step towards strengthening regional trade and connectivity within Africa.
• This makes the country the sixth member state of the Central Corridor which is a multimodal transport network connecting landlocked countries in the region to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam, the largest city and financial hub of Tanzania.
• The addition was concluded during the CCTTFA Inter-state Council of Ministers meeting in Dar es Salaam where the Malawian delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara signed the agreement.
• The five other countries include Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Malawi’s participation in the CCTTFA will contribute to the overall development and integration of Africa by reducing trade costs, providing improved infrastructure, and enhancing trade competitiveness.

What they said

Executive Secretary Adv. Okandju Okonge Flory commended the move by Malawi, highlighting its positive impact on the region’s economy. “The inclusion of Malawi is a major milestone for the Central Corridor,” he said. “It will expand our reach, enabling us to better serve the needs of our member states and facilitate trade flows across the region. We are confident that Malawi’s participation will contribute further to the development of the Central Corridor and the economic integration of Africa.” Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara on his part pledged to collaborate with other member states. “Joining the Central Corridor is a strategic decision for Malawi,” he stated. “We believe that this partnership will significantly enhance our access to the sea and regional markets, promoting trade and economic growth in our country.”