The Tripartite initiative dates back to October, 2008 when the Heads of State and Government from East African Community (EAC), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) met in Kampala, Uganda to discuss regional integration issues with a view of harmonising programmes and a way of dealing with challenges associated with overlapping membership. The Heads of State and Government agreed to form a grand Free Trade Area (FTA), which will build on progress achieved under EAC, SADC and COMESA.
The tripartite has three main areas of focus: (i) Establishment of a Tripartite Free Trade Area; (ii) Infrastructure Development: and (iii) the promotion of industrialisation.
With regard to infrastructure development, the Tripartite has played an instrumental role in promoting the development of transport corridors and one-stop-border post facilities. Notable of the transport corridors where progress has been made include: (i) the North-South Corridor, which the establishment of one-stop border post at Chirundu; (ii) the trans-caprivi development corridor and the construction of the Katima mulilo bridge between Namibia and Zambian border crossing. Progress has also been made at Kasumbalesa with the construction of border facilities through PPP arrangement.
Regarding the industrial pillar: an implementation plan has been developed.
