Hosting the corridor headquarters would strengthen Namibia’s institutional role in managing a strategic trade route connecting the Port of Walvis Bay with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The arrangement could improve coordination between the participating countries while supporting more efficient access to international markets for landlocked economies.
The headquarters agreement, cargo levy and proposed railway upgrade indicate a broader effort to move the corridor from a regional policy initiative towards an operational transport and trade system. Upgrading the railway to Southern African Development Community standards could also improve freight interoperability and strengthen rail’s role within the corridor.
- Namibia’s Cabinet has approved the corridor headquarters agreement.
- Jonas Sheelongo has been authorised to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government of Namibia.
- The corridor links the Port of Walvis Bay with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- A cargo levy of US$0.90 per tonne has applied at the Katima Mulilo and Ngoma border posts since April 2026.
- The Road Fund Administration retains 15% of the levy revenue to cover administrative costs.
- Non-compliance may result in a fine of up to N$8,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
- Namibia plans to upgrade the railway line along the corridor to Southern African Development Community standards.
Namibia’s Cabinet has approved the headquarters agreement between the Government of Namibia and the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor Management Committee.
The agreement is intended to support regional integration and facilitate cross-border trade by improving access through Namibia to the Port of Walvis Bay for landlocked countries, particularly Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cabinet also authorised Jonas Sheelongo, executive director of the Ministry of Works and Transport, to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government of Namibia.
The Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor is a strategic regional transport initiative linking the Port of Walvis Bay with Zambia and the DRC. It is intended to improve trade connectivity and reduce logistical barriers for landlocked economies in Southern and Central Africa.
Since April 2026, a levy of US$0.90 per tonne has applied to cargo transported by road through Namibia’s Katima Mulilo and Ngoma border posts. The levy follows the gazetting of regulations intended to strengthen the regional transport system and support the implementation of the corridor agreement involving Namibia, Zambia and the DRC.
Transport operators entering or leaving Namibia must pay the levy at the border and may not proceed without proof of payment. Failure to comply constitutes an offence and may result in a fine of up to N$8,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The Road Fund Administration has been mandated to collect and administer the levy on behalf of the corridor’s Permanent Secretariat. It will retain 15% of the revenue to cover administrative costs, with the remaining funds transferred monthly to support the secretariat’s operations.
Under the payment procedures, operators must first declare the weight of their cargo to the Namibia Revenue Agency at the border. Once the cargo weight has been verified, operators must present supporting documentation, including a cross-border permit, and pay the levy to the Road Fund Administration, which will issue proof of payment.
The levy forms part of broader efforts to operationalise the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor and improve trade flows and transport efficiency across Namibia, Zambia and the DRC.
Namibia also plans to upgrade the railway line along the corridor to Southern African Development Community standards.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa Magazine
