Zambia chamber of commerce calls for action on border inefficiencies to drive regional trade

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has raised concerns over persistent inefficiencies at border posts, warning that the challenges continue to undermine trade flows and increase the cost of doing business in the region.

ZACCI Acting Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Mumba, said many businesses were struggling with delays caused by limited operating hours, cumbersome clearance processes, and inconsistent application of trade regulations, especially along key corridors such as the Kasumbalesa border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He was speaking during an interactive roundtable: AfCFTA agreement implementation–experiences, bottlenecks and opportunities in Lusaka on Monday.

“A border crossing is not just a checkpoint, it is a lifeline for businesses and livelihoods,” Mumba said.

He said: “Yet traders are losing valuable time and resources. In some cases, it takes more than 15 days to clear goods, when ideally this should be done within hours. Just this year alone, close to 3,000 consignments experienced prolonged delays at Kasumbalesa, largely due to inefficiencies in customs and administrative procedures.”

He explained that limited information-sharing between authorities and the private sector further complicated cross-border trade, leading to unnecessary costs for businesses.

“One of the key issues we are asking governments to address is the extension of border operating hours and the improvement of information systems so that traders can plan effectively,” Mumba added.

The ZACCI official also urged governments in the region to scale up the implementation of one-stop border posts and digital platforms, saying such measures would enhance efficiency, transparency, and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Trade facilitation should not only be about policies on paper but about ensuring that businesses on the ground can move their goods seamlessly,” he said.

“If we want to see growth in intra-African trade, we must reduce bottlenecks at borders, provide timely information, and build trust between the private sector and government agencies,” he added.

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