In a major step toward strengthening economic indigenisation, the Zimbabwean government has officially restricted the haulage and logistics sector to Zimbabwean citizens. The move forms part of a broader strategy to enhance local ownership and participation across key sectors of the economy. On April 15, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, together with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, issued a joint statement detailing the new measures. They
Category: Road Freight
Groblersbrug Reopening Restores Vital Cargo Flow to Southern Africa’s Copperbelt
Truck traffic along South Africa’s N11 highway has significantly recovered following the reopening of the Groblersbrug Border Post with Botswana. The crossing, a key route for cargo destined for Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), had been closed for much of April after heavy rains caused the Limpopo River to flood, disrupting Customs operations and forcing hauliers to seek alternative routes. During the closure, transporters were redirected
DRC’s Sudden Visa Policy Change Burdens Cross-Border Hauliers
The abrupt termination of the visa-free agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe has imposed significant financial and operational challenges on cross-border hauliers serving Haut-Katanga Province’s mining sector. Over the past two weeks, transport companies were informed that Zimbabwean truck drivers must now obtain work visas to operate legally within the DRC. Implemented without prior notice by the DRC’s Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the new
C. Steinweg Logistics Revolutionizes Airfreight in Zambia’s Copperbelt
C. Steinweg Logistics, part of the global C. Steinweg Group, is reshaping the logistics landscape in Zambia’s Copperbelt with a game-changing airfreight strategy. As demand for mining and industrial supplies continues to grow, traditional freight routes via Lusaka have struggled to keep pace, often resulting in delays, costly disruptions, and operational downtime. Matthew Larkins, Manager of Airfreight at C. Steinweg Logistics, points out the inefficiencies of the existing model and
Four-Day Border Delays at Kopfontein Cause Major Supply Chain Disruptions
Truck drivers crossing from South Africa into Botswana via the Kopfontein Border Post face an average wait time of four days, with no emergency amenities, according to industry executives. The backlog on the R49 follows the flooding of the Groblersbrug Border Post over three weeks ago, forcing cargo carriers—many en route to the Copperbelt—to reroute through Kopfontein. Mike Fitzmaurice, regional vice president of the African Union’s Organisation for Transport and
Groblersburg Border Closure Disrupts Logistics in Southern Africa
Botswana’s primary transit link with South Africa, the Groblersburg Border Post, is facing significant congestion after the Limpopo River and other tributaries flooded in early March, causing the border to close. As a result, cargo moving from South Africa to the Copperbelt through Botswana is being redirected to southern routes like Kopfontein, leading to extensive backlogs at a crossing critical for express logistics into Gaborone. Over the weekend, video footage
Eswatini Invests 5% of Budget in Roads Launches New Infrastructure Fund
Eswatini will allocate one out of every twenty rands from its 2025–26 government budget to road infrastructure, marking a significant investment in the country’s transport network. To finance new road construction and maintain existing roads, the newly established Road Agency Fund begins operations this month. Created under the 2023 Roads Authority Act, the agency operates under the Ministry of Finance and is funded by an additional 40-cent levy on petrol
DRC Prioritizes Local Transporters in Cross-Border Freight Regulations
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Communication Channels, and Accessibility, Abolia Taba Mopolo, convened a meeting in Kolwezi on Thursday, March 13, 2025, bringing together representatives from mining companies, the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), the National Road Safety Commission (CNPR), and the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC Lualaba). The meeting focused on implementing Ministerial Decree No. VPM/MTVCD/CAB/011/2025, issued on February 25, 2025, which regulates cross-border transport
Zambia Urges DRC to Address Harsh Treatment of Truck Drivers
Zambia’s Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, has raised serious concerns over the mistreatment of Zambian truck drivers entering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite ongoing discussions with DRC authorities. Minister Tayali emphasized the urgent need to protect drivers operating in the region, stressing that their safety and well-being must be prioritized. Meanwhile, the Zambian government is making strides to enhance transport infrastructure, including upgrading key roads and modernizing
DHL and Scania Unveil Hybrid Electric Truck to Bridge Charging Gaps
DHL Group and heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania have partnered to develop an electric truck equipped with a fuel-powered generator, allowing for a transition to battery-electric road transport without relying on a fully developed charging network. While fully electric trucks are the long-term goal for sustainable transport, major challenges include limited charging infrastructure, high costs of ensuring sufficient depot charging capacity during peak seasons, grid strain, and fluctuating electricity prices, especially