Zambia-Tanzania border closure hits DRC cobalt export route

Zambia has temporarily closed its border crossing with Tanzania at Nakonde to all but essential goods in an effort to curb an increase in Covid-19 cases in the area, according to a notice from the Zambia Revenue Authority.

The crossing forms part of a key trucking route for copper and cobalt being shipped out of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, much more so recently since the lockdown in South Africa paralyzed operations at the port of Durban in late March and April.
The temporary closure at the Zambia-Tanzania crossing came into effect on May 11 after 76 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Nakonde. Mass screening, disinfection of border office buildings and other measures will be put in place before the crossing is reopened, the ZRA notice said.
During the closure, further clearance from the Ministry of Health will be required for goods already cleared for import into Zambia or in transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Transactions that have already been submitted to the ZRA will be processed, but...

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