Trade Resumes Between Zambia and Congo After Border Closure
Zambia reopened its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, resuming trade after a dispute that led to Lusaka closing the border and blocking exports from the world’s second-biggest copper producer, Bloolberg reports.
Congo’s decision last month to ban imports of beer, soft drinks, and lime sparked protests on its side of the frontier, prompting Zambia to announce the border closure on Saturday, citing safety concerns for transport drivers who were being attacked.
“The borders are opened,” Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga confirmed by phone on Tuesday. “We had a very good dialog with our brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The reopening comes as a relief for both countries. Congo produced over 2.8 million tons of copper in 2022, with nearly all of it typically transported through Zambia to regional ports in Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The Kasumbalesa crossing, the main point of entry between Zambia and Congo, is one of the busiest in southern Africa, often seeing lorry queues stretching over 30 miles.
Mulenga traveled to Lubumbashi, a southern Congolese city, on Monday to meet with his counterpart and resolve the issue. Both countries raised their concerns and agreed to establish committees of officials from both sides to address future trade disputes before they escalate.
Congo is Zambia’s third-largest export destination, accounting for nearly 11% of total exports. This amounted to roughly $103 million in June, according to official statistics. The resumption of trade is expected to bring relief to both economies and help ease tensions between the two neighboring nations.
