Southern African Trade and Connectivity Project (Malawi)
At the recent meeting of the Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee, Mr.
Hastings Ngoma Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) Project Manager,
representing Mr. Ankur Huria, Task Team Leader for the Southern Africa Trade and
Connectivity Project (SATCP), emphasized the importance of urgency and sustainability in the
ongoing initiatives aimed at improving regional trade and connectivity among Zambia, Malawi,
and Mozambique.
Mr. Ngoma opened his remarks by thanking the Permanent Secretaries, distinguished guests, and delegates from the three countries for their participation and highlighted the World Bank’s long- standing support for this collaborative forum. He commended the progress made in fostering regional integration and successful agreements that have emerged from this partnership over the years.
With just over two years remaining in the current SATCP, the World Bank urged participants to
maintain a sense of urgency in completing projects and embedding these initiatives into the
operations of the Committee and the relevant institutions. “Sustainability of initiatives should be prioritized moving forward,” Mr. Ngoma stressed, noting the critical need for lasting impacts on trade and connectivity in the region.
He pointed out significant milestones supported by the SATCP, including the completion of
Standard Operating Procedures for emergency preparedness related to pandemics and extreme climate events. The World Bank called for the involved clusters to facilitate the adoption of these measures and enhance coordination among member states.
Additionally, Ngoma addressed the negotiation of the Simplified Trade Regime framework,
which is a vital step toward strengthening trade relationships. He encouraged meetings between Malawi and Zambia to discuss ideas for implementation and ensuring the program’s full operationalization at borders with Mozambique.
The meeting also highlighted an assessment of the transport route, discussed in previous
Tripartite meetings, with recommendations aimed at improving the corridor. A panel of transport and logistics specialists was present to provide further insights, following a similar presentation from the 8th Tripartite Meeting held in Zambia in 2024.
Mr. Ngoma concluded the address by urging the clusters to coordinate effectively between
Tripartite meetings to achieve their major objectives, ensuring the continued development and
success of the Nacala Development Corridor.
The Nacala Development Corridor remains vital for enhancing trade and connectivity in
Southern Africa, and the commitment to these initiatives reflects the region’s vision for
sustainable growth and integration.
