GOVT URGED TO EXPEDITE DEVELOPMENT OF KEY INFRASTRUCTURE LINKING ZAMBIA TO THE LOBITO CORRIDOR

The Southern Africa Cross Border Traders’ Association is calling on government to expedite the development of key infrastructure that will link Zambia to the Lobito corridor.

Association Secretary General Jacob Makambwe says the Lobito Corridor has potential to facilitate the ease of movement of goods between Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the SADC region as a whole and boost the economic activities in the three countries and the region due to enhanced trade.

Mr. Makambwe tells Phoenix News that the deplorable state of road infrastructure has been a major challenge that has affected cross border trade among the three Lobito member countries.

Commenting on the recent launched concessioning of the Lobito Port and the Rail line which will be operated under a Special Purpose Vehicle by the member states of the Lobito Corridor, Mr. Makambwe further noted the lack of border infrastructure which has also contributed to challenges that cross border traders continue to face in the region.

He says Zambia needs deliberate effort to ensure that the Lobito corridor yields positive results unlike previous similar partnerships which failed to yield any meaningful results.