DRC, Zambia, and Tanzania Launch Initiative to Secure and Upgrade Southern Central Corridor
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, and Tanzania are collaborating to secure and modernize the southern section of the Central Corridor, a strategic trade route linking the port of Dar es Salaam to key commercial and mining hubs in the region.
Local media reports indicate that representatives from the three countries met on March 24, 2026, in Lubumbashi to review and approve feasibility studies aimed at improving the flow of goods and enhancing security along the corridor.
The initiative is supported by TradeMark Africa and funded by the United Kingdom through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The studies propose several measures, including the introduction of electronic payment systems at border posts and the deployment of surveillance technologies such as video monitoring and cargo tracking.
They also emphasize the need for better cross-border coordination and streamlined customs procedures. These recommendations were developed in consultation with transporters, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private operators.
Since November 2025, TradeMark Africa, in partnership with the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (AFTTCC), has been identifying challenges along the route.
These include continued reliance on cash payments, security risks, cargo theft, the proliferation of unofficial checkpoints, and coordination gaps among cross-border institutions.
In response, the DRC has already implemented security measures on sections of the corridor, particularly between Tunduma and Lubumbashi, in coordination with its neighbors.
These efforts build on broader regional initiatives. In January 2026, the DRC and Zambia pledged to strengthen security along the Kolwezi-Kasumbalesa corridor following repeated attacks on trucks transporting copper and cobalt, some of which involved violence against drivers.
