Ecama urges speed  in regional trade

The Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) has called for urgent acceleration of regional trade and energy integration, arguing that deeper cooperation within Southern Africa is key to mitigating the fallout from the escalating US/Israel–Iran conflict. Ecama president Bertha Bangara-Chikadza said in an interview on Wednesday that disruptions to global supply chains, particularly through vulnerable routes such as the Red Sea, have exposed Africa’s over-reliance on distant markets and highlighted the need to strengthen intra-African trade systems. “This conflict could act as a catalyst for deeper intra-regional trade, but only if governments overcome protectionist instincts, poor infrastructure, border inefficiencies and policy fragmentation,” she said.

Bangara-Chikadza, who teaches economics at the University of Malawi, said there is renewed momentum to operationalise alternative corridors such as Beira in Mozambique for fuel and grain imports, apart from harmonising border procedures and axle-load regulations across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). Her remarks align with a recent policy brief titled ‘Middle East Conflict—Macro Fiscal and Socio-Economic Impact on Malawi’ published by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office which warns that rising fuel costs, shipping delays and foreign exchange pressures are exposing structural weaknesses in the region’s trade architecture. The brief notes that rerouting cargo around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is increasing transit times by up to two weeks and raising freight costs on essential imports, thereby reinforcing the case for shorter, regional supply chains.

The policy brief supports this, recommending accelerated investment in regional corridors such as Beira and Nacala as well as coordinated border management systems to reduce delays and logistics costs for landlocked countries such as Malawi. Beyond logistics, Ecama is pushing for stronger regional energy integration to reduce dependence on imported refined fuel from outside Africa. “With Nigeria, Libya, Angola, Algeria, Gabon and Congo producing oil, Africa can be self-sufficient if proper refineries and distribution systems are developed,” said Bangara-Chikadza.

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She said the crisis should fast-track implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to allowcountries to substitute disrupted supply chains from Asia and Europe with regional sourcing. The policy brief echoes this, urging governments to remove non-tariff barriers, align trade regulations and expand regional payment systems to reduce reliance on hard currency. Economist Milward Tobias, however, questioned whether the region has the institutional capacity to act.

“This is not the first time a problem of this nature has happened. Sadc heads of state meet every year, but nothing really comes out,” he said. Tobias, who was an independent presidential candidate during the September 16 2025 General Election, said Africa’s continued exposure to external shocks reflects the failure to build integrated systems despite having the resources.

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