Following an announcement by Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga on Saturday, the border, which was closed over the weekend, is set to reopen on Tuesday, as stated in a separate communication from Congo’s trade ministry.
Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga announced the closure following protests by Congolese transporters in Kasumbalesa, sparked by Congo’s ban on imported soft drinks and beer.
Congo confirmed that talks were underway with Zambia on Sunday to facilitate a swift reopening of the border.
On Monday, Congo agreed to allow the import of goods affected by the ban if their importation had started before the restriction was implemented.
In 2023, Congo ranked as the world’s second-largest producer and third-largest exporter of copper, with an output of approximately 2.84 million tons.
Zambia plays a crucial role as a key export route for Congo’s copper, with the majority of these exports passing through Kasumbalesa into Zambian territory.
The strategic importance of this route highlights the significance of maintaining open borders between the two nations to support the copper trade, which is vital for both economies.