Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali, has held a high-level meeting with a delegation from the People’s Republic of China to advance the development of a strategic dry port in Kapiri Mposhi, Central Province.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lusaka, included Erkin Tuniyaz, Governor of China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Hon. Tayali expressed appreciation for China’s ongoing support for Zambia’s economic growth, particularly in the transport and logistics sector.
“We welcome your visit and your commitment to Zambia’s economic transformation,” Tayali said. “While your current interest is in the Kapiri Mposhi Dry Port, we encourage broader investment across all sectors of our economy.”
He emphasized that Kapiri Mposhi is a vital hub along the Central Corridor, serving as a strategic trade link between Zambia and the Port of Dar es Salaam, and playing a key role in connecting the country to the wider SADC region.
The dry port project aims to improve trade efficiency by reducing port congestion, enhancing inland logistics, and strengthening regional integration for the benefit of Zambia and its neighbors, including the DRC, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Key components of the proposed project include:
Container handling facilities
Bonded warehouses
Customs inspection zones
Upgraded road and rail connections
Modern ICT systems for cargo tracking
Hon. Tayali stated that the government is adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach and welcomes international investors and development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank.
He confirmed that feasibility studies have been completed, land has been secured, preliminary designs are in place, and stakeholder consultations are ongoing. The next phase will focus on finalizing partnerships for phased implementation.
“The Kapiri Mposhi Dry Port is a transformative project that can redefine regional logistics and trade. The government is fully committed, and now is the time for strategic private sector investment,” Tayali concluded.
He thanked the Chinese delegation for their interest and reaffirmed Zambia’s readiness to collaborate on this initiative and other national development projects.
