At the 14th Ordinary Meeting of the Inter-State Council of Ministers for the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, held on 18 June 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to regional transport development and integration. Led by Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali, the Zambian delegation outlined key national initiatives aligned with the broader goals of the Central Corridor.
Since joining the Central Corridor, Zambia has undertaken extensive efforts to modernise its transport systems, viewing infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic growth and regional connectivity. During the meeting, the country provided a detailed progress update on several strategic projects, including collaboration with the Corridor Secretariat to finalise a Data Exchange Memorandum of Understanding between the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Secretariat.
Zambia has also made strides under the AUDA-NEPAD Service Delivery Mechanism for early project preparation concerning Mpulungu Port. This includes technical and market assessments for cargo movement between Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and other countries bordering Lake Tanganyika. Plans are in motion to update the harbour layout and provide recommendations for a green port transformation, alongside safety evaluations for navigation on the lake.
Border infrastructure improvements remain a high priority. The Nakonde/Tunduma One Stop Border Post is undergoing significant upgrades. The first phase, supported by TradeMark Africa, is over 70% complete, focusing on a truck scanner, access roads, and ICT equipment. The second phase, Lot 2, funded through the World Bank’s TRACER Project, is in the procurement stage and will develop further infrastructure and staff training at Nakonde.
One of the most notable developments is the signing of a US$110 million concession agreement to upgrade Kasumbalesa border post, the busiest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Plans include a 2,000-capacity truck park and a multi-facility economic zone. The initiative is expected to reduce transit delays, lower logistics costs, and enhance regional trade efficiency across the SADC, COMESA, and EAC regions.
Road infrastructure rehabilitation has also accelerated, with the Mpika-Nakonde section nearly completed, backed by the African Development Bank. Meanwhile, the Serenje-Mpika corridor (203km) is undergoing procurement under the World Bank TRACER Project, and construction is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025.
Work continues on the Lusaka–Kapiri Mposhi–Ndola dual carriageway under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The project is currently 25% complete and aims to support economic activity along Zambia’s key industrial corridor.
In terms of digital integration, Zambia is deploying a SMART Corridor System from Nakonde to Lusaka and the Copperbelt. The US$54 million system, funded by the World Bank TRACER Project, is under procurement. Once implemented, it will optimise traffic flow, improve safety, and support the digital transformation of the corridor.
On the rail side, discussions around the concession of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) are at an advanced stage. The agreement with a Chinese company is expected to be concluded by July 2025, marking a significant step towards modernising the critical regional rail link.
The country’s transport initiatives, backed by regional partnerships and financial support from development institutions, are poised to transform both domestic and regional logistics landscapes.
