The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Tanzania are working to establish measures to secure and modernize the southern section of the Central Corridor, a strategic axis linking the port of Dar es Salaam to major commercial and mining hubs in the region.

According to local media reports, representatives from the three countries met on March 24, 2026, in Lubumbashi to review and approve feasibility studies aimed at improving goods flows and strengthening security along the route. The initiative is supported by TradeMark Africa, with funding from the United Kingdom through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The studies outline several measures, including the introduction of electronic payment systems at border posts and the deployment of surveillance technologies, notably video monitoring and cargo tracking. They also highlight the need for stronger coordination between countries and improvements in border procedures. These recommendations are based on consultations with transporters, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies and private operators.

According to TradeMark Africa, this work, underway since November 2025 as part of a partnership with the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (AFTTCC), identified several challenges, including continued reliance on cash payments, security risks, cargo theft, the spread of unofficial checkpoints and coordination gaps between cross-border institutions.

In this context, the DRC has implemented security measures on certain sections of the corridor, notably between Tunduma and Lubumbashi, in coordination with neighboring countries.

These initiatives build on ongoing regional efforts. In January 2026, the DRC and Zambia committed to strengthening security on the Kolwezi-Kasumbalesa corridor following repeated attacks on trucks transporting copper and cobalt, sometimes involving violence against drivers.

Ronsard Luabeya