Southern African governments are being urged to optimize existing port and cross-border supply chain systems to improve trade with the Copperbelt region in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Logistics experts warn that prolonged border delays are driving up transport costs and slowing the movement of goods, threatening regional trade efficiency.
Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and managing director of DP World Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted these challenges during a CNBC Africa discussion on economic zones and regional connectivity. He questioned why countries within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU)—the world’s oldest customs bloc—have not implemented pre-cleared, borderless freight systems. “These are basic things,” Akoojee said, noting that much cargo is already cleared at ports before being loaded onto trucks, yet it still takes approximately 65 days to move freight in and out of the Copperbelt.
Transport operators say a round trip from port to the Copperbelt should take no more than two weeks. Akoojee suggested real-time road freight monitoring along the N11 route from South Africa to Botswana to reduce delays and streamline logistics. “We’ve got the technology, we just need countries to come together to help industry take complexity out of the system,” he added.
Border congestion has become a major challenge, adding up to 50% of transport operating costs, according to Akoojee. While the Kazungula One-stop Border Post (OSBP) in northern Botswana is considered highly efficient, southern crossings like Groblersbrug and Martin’s Drift have not kept pace, creating bottlenecks for trucks carrying pre-cleared cargo, including hazardous materials.
Mike Fitzmaurice of the Transit Assistance Bureau stressed that harmonization between borders is meaningless unless infrastructure upgrades match modern OSBP standards. Although the N11 transit is currently averaging a day and a half of waiting time, spikes in demand—such as the recent need for sulphur by Zambian and Congolese mines—have resulted in four-day delays. Overflowing truck parks and mixed traffic with non-compliant carriers exacerbate the problem.
Busi Mabuza, chair of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and head of the B20 Trade & Investment Task Force, echoed the need for enhanced public-private collaboration to streamline border operations. She specifically highlighted Groblersbrug, which remains a single-lane crossing, as a priority for infrastructure upgrades. Despite repeated calls, the South African government has yet to include the N11 transit in its current border improvement plans, even as other land borders receive upgrades.
Experts stress that modernizing border infrastructure, implementing real-time freight tracking, and harmonizing operational standards are critical for boosting regional trade efficiency. With the Copperbelt serving as a key hub for mining and commercial activities, reducing delays and lowering costs could significantly improve profitability for logistics operators while strengthening Southern Africa’s position in global trade.
Akoojee and Mabuza agreed that urgent action is needed. As trade volumes continue to grow, collaboration between governments and the private sector could transform the region’s transport and logistics landscape, creating faster, more predictable, and more cost-effective supply chains for the Copperbelt and beyond.
