ZACCI backs Zambia’s nod to North-South Corridor memorandum of understanding

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has endorsed Zambia’s accession to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the North–South Corridor (NSC) Management Institution.

Zambia and six other member states—Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe—have endorsed and validated the concept of the NSC Economic Corridor Pilot Programme.

ZACCI Acting Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Mumba, expressed the organisation’s support when he appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Transport, Works and Supply, accompanied by Board Trustee, Paul Chisunka and Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Rabecca Kaumba.

Presenting the private sector’s perspective on the ratification of the MoU, Mumba described the agreement as a key step toward improving corridor efficiency and boosting regional trade.

“ZACCI recognises the MoU as a strategic milestone toward addressing corridor inefficiencies and promoting private sector–led growth and regional trade integration,” he said.

Mumba emphasized the need for Zambia to capitalise on its central geographic position to strengthen its role as a regional trade and transport hub for Southern Africa.

He further noted that inadequate infrastructure remained a critical bottleneck to trade facilitation.

“ZACCI is calling for enhanced operational efficiency within Zambia’s railway infrastructure, a key component of the North–South Corridor,” Mumba said, adding that the country must be ready to handle increased transit flows anticipated under the MoU.

He described the North–South Corridor as one of Africa’s most significant regional transport networks, linking the port of Durban in South Africa through Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the DRC, thereby facilitating trade across Southern and Central Africa.

ZACCI reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to working with government and regional partners to ensure that the Corridor delivered inclusive growth, competitiveness, and sustainable trade outcomes for Zambia and the wider region.

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