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Ndola Chamber hails Zambia, DRC resolution over Kasumbalesa congestion

• The agreement passed between Zambia and DRC is highly commendable.
• It will result in increased trade between the two countries.
• Trucks at Kasumbalesa border are spending 15 to 20 days to cross into DRC.


Ndola & District Chamber of Commerce Industry says the decision by Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to resolve congestion at the Kasumbalesa border will result in increased trade between the two countries.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Chamber Sub- Committee Chairman for Transport and Logistics Chris Chipimo noted that at the moment, trucks at Kasumbalesa border are spending 15 to 20 days to cross into DRC, hence the two governments’ agreement will see free flow of traffic.
Mr. Chipimo said the Chamber highly welcomes the decision made by the two governments because it will bring about huge economic benefits to both countries.
“The agreement passed between Zambia and DRC is highly commendable because what we are going to see is an increased trade between the two countries. Currently trucks, especially at Kasumbalesa are spending 15 to 20 days to cross, with this move that the two governments have agreed, we see trucks to be taking back to less than 48 hours to cross,” Mr. Chipimo stated.
Mr. Chipimo added that there is a lot of cargo which is marooned in Zambia, as it is failing to cross into DRC due to congestion at the border.
“We have a lot of trading companies and manufacturers especially in Ndola that are failing to move these volumes into the DRC. We welcome the decision by the two governments because I think what we are going to see is big economic benefits to both countries,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chipimo called on government to urgently upgrade infrastructure standards of Sakanya border post which is very close to Ndola as it is a very critical border facility.
He further recommended that government should also consider putting up a one border post like the one in Kazungula district.
“We should not allow that land to be encroached on, we need to put commercial value to that land and that a proper commercial infrastructure is put in place. We should also consider putting up a one border post, we have an opportunity to put a one border post like what we have in Kazungula.”
“Traffic at Kazungula passes very fast so if we take that model and put it across all these borders that have been included in the agreement, we will see better traffic flow and big benefits to both countries,” he said.
On Friday, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo unanimously agreed that with effect from 10th June 2022, the revenue authorities and all border agencies of both countries to put in place procedures to allow for 24 hour border operations at Kasumbalesa, Sakanya, Mukambo and Kipushi.
They also agreed that in the interim, 06 am to 8 pm to be dedicated towards entry and exit of trucks and measures should be made at a target of a minimum of 800 trucks to be cleared to exit Zambia into Democratic Republic of Zambia.

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