Ministers from across Southern Africa will meet online Friday to tackle problems at the Kasumbalesa border between Congo and Zambia. SADC shared yesterday that this busy crossing faces traffic jams, trade holdups, poor facilities, and safety risks. These issues harm truck drivers and merchants who need this route for their business. The group plans to fix the entire system rather than just one spot because solving problems at a single checkpoint never lasts long.
SADC believes they must look at all connected roads together. Making one area better often creates backups elsewhere if other parts stay broken. The regional body wants lasting solutions that work across all trade routes. Kasumbalesa stands at a crossroads for many key trade paths, including the North-South Corridor, Central Development from Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi route, plus Beira and Lobito corridors that help move goods between countries.
Felix Mhona from Transport will preside over the meeting as SADC works to create real plans for better roads, easier trade, and safer travel. They want goods to move smoothly between African nations without any delays or dangers. This matters greatly for businesses throughout the region who depend on these roads for sending and receiving products across borders. Better systems would help everyone who uses these important trade paths.
Both Congo and Zambia tried fixing these problems earlier this year. Their presidents, Felix Tshisekedi and Hakainde Hichilema, ordered officials to meet in January. The trouble started when border staff began using a new computer tracking system called Electronic Seals Clearance. This change caused unexpected backups and created long lines of trucks waiting to cross. Drivers faced harsh conditions during these delays, making the situation urgent for both countries.
SADC wants to ensure trade keeps flowing between member countries without these painful holdups. The regional group sees how one border problem affects many nations and countless businesses. Their Friday meeting aims to find practical answers that work for everyone using these vital roads. By working together, these countries hope to make travel and shipping easier across all Southern African trade routes.
SADC believes they must look at all connected roads together. Making one area better often creates backups elsewhere if other parts stay broken. The regional body wants lasting solutions that work across all trade routes. Kasumbalesa stands at a crossroads for many key trade paths, including the North-South Corridor, Central Development from Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi route, plus Beira and Lobito corridors that help move goods between countries.
Felix Mhona from Transport will preside over the meeting as SADC works to create real plans for better roads, easier trade, and safer travel. They want goods to move smoothly between African nations without any delays or dangers. This matters greatly for businesses throughout the region who depend on these roads for sending and receiving products across borders. Better systems would help everyone who uses these important trade paths.
Both Congo and Zambia tried fixing these problems earlier this year. Their presidents, Felix Tshisekedi and Hakainde Hichilema, ordered officials to meet in January. The trouble started when border staff began using a new computer tracking system called Electronic Seals Clearance. This change caused unexpected backups and created long lines of trucks waiting to cross. Drivers faced harsh conditions during these delays, making the situation urgent for both countries.
SADC wants to ensure trade keeps flowing between member countries without these painful holdups. The regional group sees how one border problem affects many nations and countless businesses. Their Friday meeting aims to find practical answers that work for everyone using these vital roads. By working together, these countries hope to make travel and shipping easier across all Southern African trade routes.
