WASHINGTON, D.C., Saturday 15th April 2023 – Minister of Transport and Logistics Hon. Frank Museba Tayali MP says rail-way transport of bulk cargo is the best mode of transportation to address decarbonization.

Mr. Tayali said the Zambian Government is working on modernizing the rail-way sector to ensure that it manages the huge traffic volumes of bulk cargo.

He said this during a panel discussion looking at the ‘Future of Sustainable Logistics’ on the sidelines of the 2023 World Bank Group – International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., USA.

He told the meeting that the cost of doing business should be transformed in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Tayali said Zambia is now focused to use the rail-way sector in transporting bulk cargo.

“Zambia is in a process of bringing others to cooperate in doing business. The cost of doing business should be transformed in a sustainable manner. During the time of Covid-19, business was affected, and we had a lot of backloads, because a lot of trucks of over 40,000 moved out of the roads. So, we need to move to the rail-way system. Our rail-way system needs to be improved in infrastructure and resuscitated. The non-use of the rail-way sector has impacted hugely on the roads, and that is why we look to resuscitate the rail-way sector,” said Mr. Tayali.

“What will be important in the case for Zambia with huge traffic volumes having to be responsible for the movement of cargo and passengers, ours is to look at moving particularly the bulk cargo on rail, that is one area we have identified as a major contributor to decarbonization and sustainable logistic arrangements. Other than that, we look to aviation as a subsector.”

Mr. Tayali said Zambia is working with the World Bank to develop a national logistic strategy which is now underway.

“The ability to consolidate on cargo on various warehousing infrastructure, we should be able to bring cargo together and move it in a streamlined and efficient manner, that is the focus, and we are working with the World Bank to develop a national logistic strategic which is still underway that will help us bring into focus other interventions that will be useful for a land linked country like Zambia.”

Mr. Tayali invited the business community to visit Zambia which has vast land for agricultural activities.

“We are in a global village, and we need to focus and work as one. We need to spread our tentacles and come to areas like Zambia where we have available land for activities like outsourcing agriculture which are future ways in doing business.”

“We know the problems, so now it’s time to act. Zambia and the DRC holds 70% of the world’s deposits of Copper and Cobalt, and as the global world looks to transform into electric vehicles, Zambia and the DRC has partnered to establish a motor vehicle plant that will offer solutions to the world as we focus to a much greener and cleaner way to transport goods,” said Mr. Tayali.

Issued by:

Charles Tembo

First Secretary Press and Public Relations