Zambia will reopen its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) after a brief closure over the weekend. The closure, which disrupted a key export route for Zambia’s copper industry, was lifted following a joint statement from both countries on Monday.
Protests in the Congolese town of Kasumbalesa led to the border’s closure. These protests erupted after DR Congo banned imported soft drinks and beer. Zambia Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga announced the closure on Saturday, sealing the border.
DR Congo’s trade ministry confirmed the border will reopen on Tuesday. Talks between the two countries started on Sunday to resolve the issue quickly. On Monday, DR Congo also agreed to allow the import of goods already in transit before the ban.
In 2023, DR Congo was the world’s second-largest copper producer and third-largest exporter, producing about 2.84 million tonnes.
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