Ratification Of The Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor To Boost Business In The Region

The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali, MP, announced on Friday, 19 January 2024, the ratification of the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor. This strategic move is anticipated to significantly boost economic development among the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Zambia, and extend its benefits beyond their borders.

The minister elaborated on the multifaceted benefits of this ratification. It promises to not only upgrade infrastructure, which includes road networks, railways, border facilities, and customs procedures but also to encourage private sector participation, contributing significantly to the overall development of the region. One of the key impacts of this initiative will be the promotion of cross-border trade and investment, vital for regional integration and cooperation.

In December 2023, the Republic of Zambia Report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor noted that in the railway sub-sector, the Corridor had prioritised the construction of the Trans Zambezi Railway Line and the Livingstone-Kazungula-Sesheke Railway Line, which would join the existing railway line at Grootfontein in Namibia. The railway line would be constructed under the Public Private Partnership model.

The Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor stands as a testament to the power of regional cooperation and strategic planning in fostering economic growth and integration.