Zambia has officially signed an agreement to become a full member of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA). This move is expected to expand Zambia’s market and boost its trade activities with other member states. The agreement was signed by Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, during the Interstate Council of Ministers meeting held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Minister Tayali stressed how important it is for Zambia’s trade and logistics industry to be a part of the Central Corridor. Zambia is a landlocked country, thus its main means of accessing foreign markets is through effective commercial routes. Zambia will benefit from greater access to major seaports by joining the Central Corridor, particularly Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam, a significant gateway for trade in the area. Because it will be simpler to export goods to other African countries and abroad, this development is anticipated to open up new commercial prospects for Zambian companies.
An established, cohesive multimodal transportation and logistics network is the Central Corridor. By road, rail, and waterways, it links five important member states: Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By establishing essential links between landlocked states and the Indian Ocean, this network promotes easier trade and lowers the cost of transportation for products entering and leaving these countries. Zambia may now take advantage of this integrated system as a full member, which will improve its capacity to engage in regional trade more successfully.
Mr. Tayali expressed optimism about Zambia’s future within the Central Corridor. He noted that being part of this cooperative effort will not only improve access to markets but also enhance Zambia’s competitiveness in the global trade arena. The membership allows Zambia to be more integrated with its neighboring countries in terms of transport and trade facilitation, thus promoting economic growth and development. Zambia will also be in a better position to benefit from regional infrastructure projects, which are aimed at improving transport and trade routes, as well as reducing the time and cost associated with moving goods across borders.
The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency was originally established to ensure coordination and cooperation among its member states in managing transit transport along the corridor. It plays a pivotal role in harmonizing policies and procedures that affect the movement of goods. With Zambia now on board, the agency is expected to increase its scope of influence and strengthen its efforts to promote smoother, more efficient transport links across the region.
Enhancing cooperation among participating nations is a fundamental aspect of the Central Corridor’s functional structure. The organization strives to expedite border checks, customs processes, and infrastructure upgrades that support the secure and timely flow of products. In order to minimize the obstacles and hold-ups that can impede cross-border trade in Africa, member-state collaboration has proven to be crucial.
Therefore, Zambia’s accession to the Central Corridor is a move in the right direction toward improved regional trade facilitation. It gives Zambia a dependable path for importing commodities and creates new opportunities for its exporters to more effectively reach international markets. Zambia is well-positioned to seize this chance to deepen its integration into the regional and international economies, supported by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency.
Zambia has committed to collaborating closely with other African countries to improve trade and transportation connectivity, as seen by the signing of this pact. Zambia wants to boost its logistics network, reach a wider market, and aid in the development of the commerce infrastructure in the region by making the most of the Central Corridor.
