Land-Linked Zambia @2023: A Transport & Logistics Event EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2023 Land-Linked Zambia (LLZ) Conference recorded an impressive attendance of well-over 200 delegates and exhibitors from the transport and logistics industry, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Djibouti, Egypt, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The three (3) day event (22nd24th March 2023) began with a full-day golf tournament at Bonanza Golf Course and welcome reception at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics (MTL) headquarters on the first day, followed by the official opening, four (4) presentations and two (2) panel discussions on the second day and two (2) presentations and two (2) panel discussions on the third and last day of the 2023 LLZ Conference and Exhibition. Conference proceedings and the exhibition took place in the main hall of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) in Lusaka. The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank Museba Tayali officially opened the event on Thursday 23rd March 2023. The event was also spiced by a golf awards ceremony on the first day and concurrent exhibitions by various domestic and foreign participating organisations during the last two (2) days.

Various topics were discussed during panel discussions. Presentations were also made in line with the theme of the Conference and Exhibition. The topics of the panel discussions and presentations were:

• Leveraging AfCFTA Under a Unified Trade Regime (presentation)

• Best Practice for PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPPs) for National and Regional Development (presentation)

• Unlocking the Potential of Positioning Zambia as an Aviation Hub (panel discussion)

• Role of Transport Sector in Re-Positioning Destination Zambia (panel discussion)

• Vehicle and Asset Financing (presentation)

• Port Operations in Facilitating Transport and Logistics (presentation)

• Benefits of Domesticating TTTFP Model Laws, Policies, Regulations and Standards in the Tripartite Region (panel discussion)

• Efficient Border Management in a Simplified Trade Regime (STR) (panel discussion)

• Importance of Transport and Logistics in the Manufacturing Sector countries should prioritise the transport and logistics sector in order to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

Zambia stands to benefit from continental integration and a connected transport and logistics sector due to its central geographical local. Several trade corridors pass through Zambia (and Zambia could take advantage of this): Beira, Dar-es-Salaam, Maputo and Walvis Bay transport corridors. In order for this to happen and deepen intraAfrican trade, there is need to address customs delay, poor road transport infrastructure, cold-chain facilities etc. Zambia should ensure effective implementation of its AfCFTA Implementation Strategy to ensure stimulation of production facilities and supply-chains.