Mpulungu Harbour in Zambia: A Green Port in the making
Mpulungu Harbour in Zambia is taking steps towards becoming a modern, climate-resilient trade hub. Following validation of a market assessment supported by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), stakeholders agreed on priorities including port modernisation, new commercial partnerships and piloting the Continental Green Ports Guidelines of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Mpulungu Harbour, located on the southern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Zambia, is a critical node on the Central Corridor – one of Africa's most important trade routes connecting landlocked countries to the port of Dar es Salaam. Despite its strategic position, the harbour has long operated below its potential, with limited infrastructure, underutilised capacity, and few formal commercial agreements in place.
To help unlock that potential, AUDA-NEPAD's Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM), supported by GIZ's Africa InCORE project, conducted a market assessment study for Mpulungu Harbour. The study conducted a market assessment examining port operations, trade flows and investment opportunities to identify practical options for modernising the harbour and attracting new business.
The study was formally validated in Lusaka in June 2026 at a GIZ-supported workshop bringing together key actors including representatives from the Government of Zambia, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and the Mpulungu Harbour Corporation. The workshop marked the transition from analysis to implementation, with stakeholders agreeing on priorities for investment and operational improvements.
Three areas of action emerged from the validation:
Port modernisation
The study identifies priority infrastructure upgrades that could improve cargo handling and increase operational efficiency.
Offtake agreements
Negotiations with potential clients, including mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aim to increase cargo volumes and strengthen the harbour's commercial viability.
Green Ports piloting
Mpulungu has also been selected to pilot the AUC Continental Green Ports Guidelines, a framework adopted in 2026 to support climate-resilient and low-emission port development across Africa.
While implementation is only beginning, the agreed next steps provide a roadmap for transforming Mpulungu Harbour into a more efficient, commercially attractive and environmentally sustainable gateway for regional trade. Africa InCORE continues to support AUDA-NEPAD and national partners in turning these plans into action.
