Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) was among over 50 local and foreign exhibitors that participated at the 3rd Annual Land-Linked Zambia (LLZ) Conference and Exhibition which was held at Lusaka International Conference Centre at Ciela Resort in Lusaka.
The two day event was held under the Theme: “Connecting Zambia and SADC by land to facilitate trade, investments and ease of movement of goods and people”
And officiating at the opening ceremony, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank M. Tayali, MP said the theme of the Conference and Exhibition resonates deeply with the aspirations of Zambia to transform into a transport hub for the Southern African region.
Mr Tayali said Zambia remains committed to developing the various transport corridors that traverse in the country, which include the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi, Lobito, Nacala, North – South, Beira, and Central corridors.
He said it is in the development of the corridors that Zambia will truly transform itself into a land-linked country and benefit from its abundant resources and strategic geographic location in the region.
The Minister noted that with that in mind, government is working towards actualizing the Lobito Corridor ,the road and railway network and various border posts between Angola and Zambia.
Mr Tayali said in the North South Corridor government is working on rehabilitating and modernizing the Zambia Railways Network linking into Zimbabwe.
He added that in the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi Corridor, government is working on the Livingstone Sesheke Road and the new railway linkage between Livingstone in Zambia and Grootfontein in Namibia, and the operationalization of the Zambian dry port facility in the Walvis Bay.
He further said in the Beira Corridor government is working on the greenfield Kafue to Harare railway connection.
“In all these Corridors, there is much more that will be happening including turning them into smart corridors,” he said.
Mr Tayali emphasized that connectivity holds the key to unlocking the immense potential that will drive sustained development in the region, adding that enhancing connectivity requires working together with neighbouring countries.
“It is only last week that we hosted our brothers and sisters from Mozambique and Malawi during the 8th tripartite Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee meeting to address the various trade and transport challenges faced along the Nacala Corridor,” he said.
“In mid – March we hosted a delegation from Namibia with regard to the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi Corridor, and a delegation from the Central Corridor,”.
Mr Tayali noted that Zambia’s vision and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) collectively, cannot be realised without the active engagement and collaboration of all stakeholders, hence urging Governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and international partners to join hands in the spirit of partnership and cooperation to overcome challenges and seize opportunities present across the region.
“As we continue on this transformative journey, let us remain guided by the principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Let us harness the power of dialogue and innovation to build bridges that transcend physical boundaries and unite us in our pursuit of a better tomorrow,” Mr Tayali said.
In attendance at this event was Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport Hon. John Mutorwa, Angola’s Deputy Transport Minister Hon. Jorge Bengue Calumbo, Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials.
Source: Zambian Railways
