• Once Sakanya border infrastructure is improved, it will boost trade between Zambia and the DRC.
• The move will also help ease traffic congestion challenges that are normally faced at Kasumbalesa border post.
• The border will also address all key challenges that have been thwarting trade between the two nations.
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it has engaged Government for support in order to modernize border infrastructure at Sakanya Border Post.
Speaking when he toured the border, ZRA Commissioner General Dingani Banda said once Sakanya border infrastructure is improved, the facility will ease and boost trade between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mr. Banda stated that the move will also help ease traffic congestion challenges that are normally faced at Kasumbalesa border post.
He noted that the border facility has potential to reduce transit costs incurred in cross-border movement because truck drivers will have the option of using Sakanya instead of driving to Kasumbalesa.
“”This will boost revenue collections. The border will also address all key challenges that have been thwarting trade between the two nations. It will encourage people to do the cross-border trade,” Mr. Banda said.
According to a statement issued by ZRA Acting Corporate Communications Manager, Oliver Nzala, Mr. Banda added that the Authority will engage other government agencies to establish their presence at the border in order for the two countries to work as one team, so as to exchange their experiences, which will improve day-to-day operations at the border.
He further explained that improving services at the border will increase transport business for cargo from the Southern African region to DRC and other neighboring countries.
Last week, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reiterated their commitment to put in place smart border operational tools and have infrastructure improvement to ease and reduce the cost of cross border trade.
The two parties also agreed that Sakanya, Mukambo and Kipushi borders should operate fully fledged for all types of commercial traffic from 6 am to 6 pm and that truck of all nationalities to be allowed to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo through Kipushi border.
