Harare, (New Ziana) -The Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Friday convened a
virtual meeting to discuss the challenges being experienced at the
Kasumbalesa Border Post, a critical trade nexus linking Zambia and the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
The meeting, chaired by Zimbabwean Transport and Infrastructural
Development Minister Felix Mhona, underscored the border’s vital role in
the regional economic landscape and its profound impact on the
livelihoods of millions across Southern Africa.
In a statement on X, the SADC secretariat said the Ministers discussed
several key issues that have plagued the Kasumbalesa Border Post,
including prolonged delays for cargo, inadequate infrastructure, complex
administrative processes and security concerns.
The challenges have disrupted supply chains as well as escalated the
cost of doing business, highlighting the urgent need for effective and
sustainable solutions.
During the meeting, the Ministers reviewed an Action Plan aimed at
adopting a Corridor-Wide approach to Infrastructure Development and
Trade Facilitation, said the SADC.
The strategic plan seeks to address bottlenecks at Kasumbalesa as well
as throughout critical regional corridors, such as the North-South and
Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridors, to streamline trade and lower
barriers for regional businesses.
Recommendations made included the simplification of customs procedures,
upgrading of infrastructure, enhancement of security measures, promotion
of interagency collaboration, and the establishment of a One-Stop Border
Post aimed at boosting operational efficiency.
The initiatives align with the SADC principles of solidarity and
peaceful problem resolution while advancing regional integration.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to regional cooperation,
recognizing the Kasumbalesa border as a shared economic asset integral
to the prosperity of the Southern African Development Community.
Ministers expressed optimism that the collective actions could transform
existing challenges into opportunities, fostering growth and
connectivity throughout the region.
The Kasumbalesa border crossing serves as a critical juncture for
several regional trade corridors, including the North-South Corridors,
the Central Development Corridor (Dar es Salaam), the Walvis
Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor, the Beira Development Corridor, and the
Lobito Development Corridor.
These corridors are essential for facilitating trade and economic
development across ten SADC member states namely Angola, Botswana, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa,
the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
New Ziana
