LUSAKA, 26 November 2025 – In a historic breakthrough for regional trade, Zambia has successfully sent its first goods train carrying mealie meal across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after many years. The consignment, delivered to Lubumbashi, marks the first time in a long period that Zambia has exported processed mealie meal to its northern neighbour, signalling renewed economic cooperation and a stronger export-driven agricultural sector.
The long-awaited rail crossing comes after years of limited trade movement on the route, with most exports previously dominated by informal trade and truck-based transport. The restored railway shipment is expected to ease congestion, reduce transport costs, and expand Zambia’s footprint in the DRC’s high-demand food market.
President Hakainde Hichilema, speaking during a press conference at State House yesterday, hailed the development as a “national milestone in as far as exports are concerned.”
“We have managed to export mealie meal to Congo DR for the first time after a long time. This is a milestone. We have crossed the train from Zambia to Congo for the first time in years and importantly, we exported mealie meal, not maize, because milling jobs stay here,” President Hichilema said.
The President underscored that the renewed export capacity was made possible by Zambia’s bumper harvest in the 2024/2025 farming season, which he described as “the biggest maize harvest since independence.”
According to the Head of State, the government had initially budgeted for the purchase of 500,000 metric tonnes of maize from farmers. However, due to the record output, authorities increased the target by an additional 1 million metric tonnes, bringing the total to 1.5 million metric tonnes.
He noted that this expansion went beyond the initial budget, prompting the government to engage commercial banks to finance the excess purchases.
“We exceeded our planned budget, so we had to involve the banks. They have supported us and discussions are ongoing, which is why there were delays in paying some farmers. But we are doing it, and we will finish,” the President explained.
The surplus maize and strengthened milling industry opened new export opportunities, leading to the revival of formal rail trade into the DRC one of the region’s biggest markets for mealie meal.
Economists say the move will help stabilise Zambia’s agricultural value chain, enhance foreign exchange earnings, encourage rural job creation, and cement Zambia’s position as a reliable regional food supplier.
The government expects more trains to follow in the coming weeks as Zambia looks to expand exports to other parts of the DRC and beyond.
With the rails reopened and demand high, Zambia’s agricultural export future looks brighter than it has in years.
