Recognising the constraints faced by cross-border transport operators, the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Office for the Management of Multimodal Freight (OGEFREM).
“This formalised the relationship between the two agencies to ensure efficient regulation of freight transport between South Africa and the DRC,” said C-BRTA CEO, Sipho Khumalo.
“To achieve meaningful economic growth and industrialisation in Africa, transport must be repositioned not just as a servant of trade, but as a partner of trade. Transport must be geared as an instrument for linking various disparate, smaller economies of countries in southern Africa,” he added.
Khumalo said that this MoU formed part of CBRTA’s “Linking Africa” strategy aimed at highlighting the need to integrate African economies through efficient transport and trade. “As the C-BRTA we are committed to our mandate of regulating the free flow of passengers and goods in the region and we have been hard at work doing that,” he said.
“The MOU between OGEFREM and C-BRTA will definitely help the two institutions to fulfil their core functions and to facilitate trade between the DRC and South Africa,” said the CEO of OGEFREM, Sayiba Tambwe.
CEO of transport operator National Road Carriers, Callie Geldenhuys, told FTW recently that there were “countless opportunities” in the DRC. “It is the most minerally rich country in Africa but it’s one of the most difficult countries to transport to,” he said
This is due to a major lack of decent road transport infrastructure, general lawlessness which includes bribery and corruption, and the high price of diesel in the country, according to Geldenhuys.
He said he welcomed any initiatives to facilitate trade in the DRC. “Currently their policies are killing trade. The government needs to work closely with cross-border traders to determine their needs and find long-term, sustainable solutions.”
Tolls on the major Lubumbashi trade route amounted to a total of US$300 one way, he added.
“With all the other issues, it costs us around R5 000 -R6 000 just to cross the border into the DRC.
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DRC is the most minerally rich country in Africa but it’s one of the most difficult countries to transport to. – Callie Geldenhuys
