Southern African Trade and Connectivity Project (Malawi)
In a significant move aimed at enhancing regional trade and economic connectivity, Zambia has reaffirmed its dedication to the Nacala Development Corridor during the 9th Nacala
Development Corridor Meeting. The event, attended by distinguished guests and officials from
Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, focused on the critical role the corridor plays in linking
landlocked nations, such as Zambia and Malawi, to international markets through Mozambique’s Port of Nacala.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambian delegation, the Head of Delegation, Ireen Tembo, who is the Chief Planner in the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, emphasized the importance of the
corridor and celebrated the recent ratification of three key Corridor Agreements by the Zambian Parliament in 2024. These agreements, originally revised by the Heads of State in October 2023, highlight Zambia’s commitment to regional integration and infrastructure development.
“Zambia is fully committed to fostering the movement of goods and people along the Corridor,” the delegation head stated, underscoring the successes of the Corridor Route Assessment conducted in August 2024, which confirmed that the road infrastructure from Mozambique to Zambia is in fairly good condition, despite identifying critical crash points that need urgent attention.
A priority for Zambia is to establish a railway link to the Port of Nacala, with gratitude expressed for the progress made by Malawi in this area. Plans for developing dry ports along the corridor to improve cargo handling were also proposed.
The Head of Delegation addressed the successes of the Mwami One Stop Border Post between
Zambia and Malawi, urging for the swift development of a similar facility at the Chanida-
Cassacatiza border with Mozambique. This initiative aims to tackle existing non-tariff barriers
affecting fuel movement in the region.
Additionally, the proposed construction of an iconic bridge at the confluence of the Luangwa and Zambezi rivers was highlighted as a strategic move to bolster trade and investment across
Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Despite progress, the meeting acknowledged several bottlenecks along the corridor, including
infrastructure gaps and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The establishment of a Permanent Secretariat was deemed essential to address these administrative challenges effectively.
In closing, the Head of Delegation expressed optimism for the outcomes of the meeting and
called for ongoing collaboration at all levels to ensure the future success of the Nacala
Development Corridor. “We reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to working together with Malawi
and Mozambique for sustainable economic growth,” she stated.
