Understanding Transport And Logistics In Zambia - By Chris Chipimo

Summary

The article traces the evolution of Zambia’s copper transport and logistics sector from a state-led system in the 1970s to a more diversified, privately driven industry today. It highlights how the decline of government-funded logistics operations and the privatization of the mines opened the space for foreign forwarding companies, while limited access to affordable financing constrained the growth of Zambian-owned firms.

It outlines the rapid expansion of the logistics sector over the past two decades, particularly during the COVID-19 period, as local companies invested in trucking fleets and diversified export routes beyond the traditional North–South corridor. Alternative corridors such as Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay, and Beira have strengthened regional trade integration and improved the resilience of copper export logistics.

The article further examines government-led infrastructure investments aimed at supporting the target of producing three million metric tonnes of copper by 2030. These include major road rehabilitation projects, policy measures such as Statutory Instrument 35 of 2021 to promote local participation, and extensive efforts to revive rail transport through private sector involvement and international partnerships.

Ultimately, the piece emphasizes that a modern, multi-corridor, and integrated road-and-rail transport system will be central to Zambia’s mining growth. Rising copper production in Zambia and the DRC is creating strong investment opportunities across trucking, rail freight, warehousing, and transshipment services, positioning transport and logistics as a cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation.

Evolution of Copper Transport and Logistics in Zambia

In the 1970s, copper haulage in Zambia was predominantly managed by Government-owned parastatal transport companies, complemented by a small number of private operators. During this period, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) relied heavily on its logistics subsidiary, which coordinated the movement of copper from the Copperbelt to regional ports through contracted transporters.

However, limited government funding led to its closure, creating a logistics vacuum in the sector.

This gap enabled various foreign forwarding companies—such as African Cargo Services, Walford Meadows, and Manica Africa—to take on a central role in the forwarding, handling, and export logistics of Zambia’s copper. Following the privatization of the mines in the 1990s, foreign-owned transport and forwarding companies increased their presence even further, while participation by Zambian-owned firms remained relatively low due to limited access to affordable financing.

Growth and Diversification of the Logistics Sector

Over the past two decades, the logistics and forwarding industry has experienced significant growth. This expansion became especially noticeable around 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Zambian companies began making greater investments in truck fleets and diversified their operational routes.

Instead of relying primarily on the traditional North–South corridor through South Africa, transporters began adopting alternative export corridors such as:

Dar es Salaam Corridor – currently handling approximately 60% of Zambia’s copper exports
Walvis Bay Corridor
Beira Corridor

This diversification has strengthened Zambia’s regional trade integration and improved the resilience of copper export logistics.

Infrastructure Investments and Government Policy Support

The UPND Government has set an ambitious target to increase national copper production to 3 million metric tonnes by 2030. Achieving this goal requires substantial improvements in the transport network, as such several major infrastructure projects are underway. These include the rehabilitation of:

The Ndola–Lusaka dual carriage way
The Nakonde–Serenje section of the Great North Road
The Mutanda–Kasempa–Kaoma road
The Ndola–Sakania–Mufulira road
Several other strategic road corridors

These works are being implemented in anticipation of increased mining output and higher freight volumes. Furthermore, there is strong encouragement for the introduction of affordable financing mechanisms to help Zambian-owned logistics companies compete more effectively with foreign operators. We have seen the introduction of Statutory Instrument 35 of 2021 which stipulates at least Fifty per cent of specific cargo should be given to Zambian transporters, basically encouraging Zambians to invest in the road transportation sector.

Railway Transport: Decline and Revitalization

Historically, the railway sector was a central pillar of Zambia’s copper export system. From the 1960s through to the late 1970s, the national rail network transported roughly 60% of the country’s copper output. Mines were directly linked to the rail line, allowing efficient block-train operations to major ports.

Transit times were significantly shorter than today—approximately:

5 days from the Copperbelt to Dar es Salaam
7 days from the Copperbelt to Durban

By contrast, decades of underfunding and minimal rehabilitation have resulted in transit times of 14–18 days and 20–25 days respectively by parastatal rail operators. Currently, rail accounts for only 3–5% of Zambia’s copper production.

The Government has initiated several interventions to revive the sector:

1. Opening the rail network to private operators, leading to increased cargo movement since 2021.

2. Allowing private sector-driven innovations to improve efficiency and transit times. The transit time has dramatically improved as a result.

3. Partnering with China to rehabilitate the TAZARA railway and acquire new locomotives and wagons through a US$1.4 billion investment. Upon completion, the corridor is expected to increase its haulage capacity from 600,000 tonnes to over 4 million tonnes annually on the Tazara corridor.

4. Collaborating with the European Union – The European Union has released Fifty Million Euro grant to Zambia Railways for infrastructure rehabilitation of the rail track to modernize the Zambia Railways network and enhance operational speeds.

Achieving the 3 Million Tonne Copper Target

With the successful completion of the ongoing road and rail rehabilitation projects as tabulated above, Zambia is well-positioned to achieve its 2030 copper production target.

Enhanced infrastructure will enable:

Up to 50% of production to be transported by rail
Balanced and efficient use of road transport
Increased utilization of new trade corridors such as the Lobito and Nacala routes

Transport and logistics remain the backbone of Zambia’s mining sector, and a modernized, multi-corridor system will be essential for sustainable export growth.

Investment Opportunities in Transport and Freight Forwarding

Rising copper output in both Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to generate substantial demand throughout the transport and logistics value chain. Key investment opportunities include:

Trucks for inter-mine services within the Copperbelt
Trucks for cross-border haulage between Zambia and the DRC
Trucks for export transport to regional ports and return cargo
Rail freight services domestically and regionally
Warehousing and storage facilities for increased production and mining inputs
Depots and transshipment hubs to service the DRC, Lobito, and other emerging corridors

Conclusion

Zambia’s copper transport and logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by infrastructure rehabilitation, growing private-sector participation, and renewed interest in rail transport. With the Government targeting a substantial increase in copper production by 2030, the modernization of road and rail networks—coupled with diversified export corridors—will be essential for meeting future demand.

The country’s strategic location and expanding mining output present meaningful opportunities for investment in trucking, rail operations, warehousing, and transshipment services. Ensuring access to affordable financing for Zambian-owned companies will be critical in strengthening local participation and building a competitive, resilient logistics industry.

Ultimately, an efficient and integrated transport system will form the backbone of Zambia’s mining growth trajectory, enabling the nation to fully harness its mineral wealth and enhance its position as a regional logistics hub.