The Southern African Developed Community (SADC) Business Council and the GIZ Co-operation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration Programme have been working together since 2020 to remove non-tariff barriers in the SADC region.

Non-tariff barriers are generally defined as any kind of ‘red tape’ or trade rules, regulations and procedures, other than tariffs that unjustifiably restrict the flow of goods and services.

A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report suggests that African countries could gain $20-billion in Gross Domestic Product growth each year by tackling such barriers at the continental level.

Tulo Makwati, Programme Manager and Co-ordinator for SADC has more.