DRC and Zambia Sign Border Agreement to Boost Trade
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia have recently signed a pivotal border agreement aimed at facilitating smoother trade between the two nations.
This accord focuses on enhancing operations at the Kasumbalesa border, the second busiest land border within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.
A report by the East African highlights that this cooperation agreement, formed under the SADC framework, aims to ease cross-border trade. Ministers from both countries have proposed a preliminary framework for cooperation, along with an action plan to address long-term transport challenges.
Peter Kazadi, the DRC Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Interior and Security, underscored the significance of finding a sustainable solution to the issues at the Kasumbalesa border. “The incessant calls from transporters in the SADC network about the difficulties they encounter daily in carrying out their activities have reached our ears,” he stated.
Kazadi emphasized the DRC’s commitment to resolving these issues, which impede the smooth flow of trade. “We have agreed to work together with Zambia to find a lasting solution to this situation,” he added.
The meeting between the ministers of both countries is seen as a crucial step towards realizing the commitment of their states, with SADC’s support, to overcome trade and cross-border traffic obstacles. According to the East African, the busiest land border in the SADC region is Beitbridge, located between South Africa and Zimbabwe, followed by the Kasumbalesa border between the DRC and Zambia.
The Kasumbalesa border is strategically situated at the intersection of major commercial routes, including the North-South Corridor, the Dar es Salaam Development Corridor, the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor, the Beira Development Corridor, and the Lobito Development Corridor.
Every day, around 300 trucks cross the border carrying imported products, with an additional 300 trucks transporting goods for export, according to tax expert Jérôme Sekana.
To enhance border operations, the DRC and Zambia have agreed to align visa costs, implement advance customs clearance to reduce border congestion, and modernize border infrastructure. They have also decided to allow 24-hour operations at the Kasumbalesa, Sakania, Mokambo, and Kipushi border posts.
