Zambia is experiencing a surge in economic activity, particularly in the mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors, following the change of government. According to Walvis Bay Corridor Group’s (WBCG) chief executive officer, Mbahupu H Tjivikua, this revitalisation has been bolstered by improved ratings from global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank."This positive economic environment has led to the revival of major mines, including Konkola Copper Mine, Kalumbila Mine, and Mopani Copper Mine," said Tjivikua. "Additionally, Kobold Metals from the United States is developing the Mingomba Mine on the Copperbelt, which is set to become the largest mine in Z a mbia ."The investor-friendly climate, fostered by the new government, has also spurred growth in the manufacturing and agricultural industries. Cigarette-manufacturing plant"We are seeing the establishment of a new cigarette-manufacturing plant in Lusaka and an avocado plantation in the Lualapa province, both targeting export markets," Tjivikua noted.This economic uptick has prompted key transporters to expand their f leets to accommodate increased cargo volumes along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC). "There is a growing trend towards using the WBNLDC, ref lecting the enhanced economic activities and the need for efficient transportation solutions," he added.“The Zambian government is prioritising the development of crucial infrastructure, including the dual carriageway linking Ndola to Lusaka. This upgrade is expected to significantly alleviate congestion on this key route, which facilitates copper transit to global markets in both the south and north.”Need for trucking capacityTjivikua said to meet the rising cargo volumes on the WBNLDC, there was a pressing need for increased trucking capacity. “The corridor has faced limitations in this regard and efforts are ongoing to expand trucking services. We are pleased to announce that one of our major transporters, who began with a f leet of 100 trucks in March this year, is set to expand to 250 trucks by the end of the year. This increase in f leet size will not only enhance the number of trucks on our corridor but may also inf luence road freight rates for our customers.”He said there was a growing trend towards greater utilisation of the Walvis Bay corridor by the Zambian market. “Key players are diversifying their imports and exports across various trade routes to mitigate risks associated with past disruptions, such as cyclones or socio-political disturbances in other regions.”Asked about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tjivikua noted a decrease in corridor volumes, primarily due to limited trucking capacity and imbalances in export and import f lows, which have been further exacerbated by political inf luences, leading to reduced mining production in 2023.New zinc projectHowever, he is optimistic about the prospects for 2024. "We anticipate volume growth this year due to significant developments in the mining sector," he said. "These include a new zinc project, an increase in copper production in the Katanga region, and anticipated lithium production projects set to commence later this year in Manono."He said these developments were expected to boost export volumes via the WBNLDC and create further opportunities for import volumes, potentially reducing road freight costs on the corridors. "As part of our ongoing efforts, we will continue to adopt a proactive approach to business development and trade facilitation to ensure that we attract new clients and commodities to the WBNLDC, and achieve our mandate of increasing cargo volumes on the Walvis Bay corridors.”He said over the past years, they had successfully negotiated and facilitated the direct import and export of various goods via the WBNLDC, including sulphur, new vehicles, heavy machinery for the mining sector, FMCG, in-transit fuel exports from Zambia, and malt imports to the DRC and Zambia.He noted the growing potential of European and Asian markets to further increase trade through their ports and corridor. "Our strategic geographical location, well-equipped ports, quality transport corridors, and commitment to providing world-class services position us to efficiently and safely facilitate the free f low of trade to and from southern Africa," said Tjivikua.
