Copperbelt Stakeholders Call for Alternative DRC Routes After Kakoso Bridge Collapse
By Rogan Labika,
Stakeholders on the Copperbelt have urged government to urgently develop and operationalize alternative trade routes to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), citing over-dependence on the Kasumbalesa Border Post.
The appeal follows the recent collapse of Kakoso Bridge along the Chingola–Chililabombwe Road. The bridge was reportedly washed away after a heavy downpour on February 28, 2026, cutting off a key transit route for international trade and leaving hundreds of truck drivers and travellers stranded.
Kankoyo Constituency aspirant Stanley Mbetela said the collapse of the bridge should serve as a wake-up call for authorities, warning that the province can no longer depend on a single trade corridor for cross-border commerce.
He called on government to ensure that other border posts, such as Mokambo Border Post and Sakania Border Post, are not only accessible but fully equipped to handle high volumes of traffic.
Stakeholders say strengthening alternative routes will help safeguard trade, reduce congestion, and prevent economic disruptions in the event of future infrastructure failures.
