Why it Matters
Mpulungu Port gives Zambia direct access to Lake Tanganyika trade flows, linking the country with Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. Upgrading the port would strengthen its role in regional logistics, intra-African trade and cross-border movement of goods.
The proposed greenfield railway from the main TAZARA line to Mpulungu Port adds a wider corridor dimension to the discussion. If implemented, it could improve the interface between rail, lake transport and regional port operations, while supporting more competitive logistics across the Lake Tanganyika basin.
The Government of Zambia is working on an upgrade programme for Mpulungu Port to align the facility with regional standards.
Speaking when he officially opened the Regional Validation Workshop on the Draft Final Report of the Feasibility Study for the Harmonisation of Transport Legislation, Port Procedures and Operations on Lake Tanganyika, Transport and Logistics Permanent Secretary, Eng. Fredrick Mwalusaka said Zambia has a vested interest in Lake Tanganyika as a driver of trade and regional integration.
Eng. Mwalusaka said the country has recorded major exports through Mpulungu Port, supported by strong regional demand for goods and services.
He said the port creates an opportunity for intra-African trade and expressed the view that the workshop should lead to positive transport and logistics outcomes.
Burundi Maritime and Port Authority Director General Godelieve Nininahazwe, who headed the delegation from the visiting countries, welcomed Zambia’s consideration of a greenfield railway from the main TAZARA line to Mpulungu Port.
She said that during the last visit to Zambia by Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to connect the TAZARA line to the port. The agreement also covered several maritime-related matters.
Nininahazwe said it was time to implement such agreements and ensure that regional ports become more competitive.
The workshop brought together participants representing ministries responsible for transport and logistics from the riparian states of Lake Tanganyika, namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.
