Zambia’s trade with the Democratic Republic of […]

Zambia’s trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo faces potential short-term disruptions following the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, with business leaders calling for stronger border health measures to protect commerce and public safety.

In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times -ZBT Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Acting CEO Emmanuel Mumba said the outbreak could affect both immediate and medium-term trade flows, given the DRC’s role as one of Zambia’s key regional markets and transit routes.

“The DRC is a significant market for Zambian products such as mealie meal, cement, sugar, processed foods, construction materials, and agricultural commodities,” Mumba said. “Any disruptions at border points such as Kasumbalesa could affect the movement of goods, increase clearance times and raise logistics costs for exporters.”

Mumba noted that the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern had heightened risk. He warned that Zambia could see slower export volumes due to tighter border surveillance, movement restrictions, and reduced commercial activity in affected areas.

He added that investor confidence and regional supply chains could also take a hit if the situation worsens.

“Sectors that rely heavily on regional trade integration including mining supply chains, agriculture, retail trade, and transport services may feel the impact most significantly,” he said.

Mumba said the extent of the impact would depend on how quickly the outbreak is contained and on regional coordination.

He noted that Zambia had already strengthened surveillance and screening at key entry points to minimize transmission risk while keeping trade moving. he urged Zambia to diversify export markets and improve digital trade facilitation and emergency preparedness at border posts.

“The outbreak highlights the importance of strengthening regional health-security systems and trade resilience mechanisms within COMESA and SADC frameworks,” Mumba said.Echoing the need for stronger border controls, Southern Africa Cross Border Traders Association Secretary General Jacob Makambwe said small-scale traders were particularly exposed due to daily movement across the border.“Our concern is the readiness and preparedness of government around putting up screening centers and areas where people coming from DRC to Zambia are screened on a daily basis,” Makambwe said.

He explained that many traders operate around border towns like Kasumbalesa, Mokambo, Sakanya and Maheba, and rarely travel deeper into the DRC.

However, they remain at risk through contact with people crossing into Zambia to trade.

Makambwe urged traders to comply with screening processes and called for clear communication from authorities.

Article by Francine Chibuye