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Lake Tanganyika is the sixth largest lake
in the world.

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It borders four countries and has a high economic
potential.

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However, many trade and business opportunities
remain unexploited.

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The Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO commissioned
a market study

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to identify opportunities and challenges to
increase trade.

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Mpulungu port, about 1000 km northeast of
Lusaka, is the focus of this study.

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The study complements Dutch support for the
maritime

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sector and agribusiness development in Zambia.

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Zambia trades with Burundi, the Eastern Congo
and Tanzania through Mpulungu port.

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The port facilitates goods and passenger flows.

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The main traded items are bulk goods like
cement, sugar and maize.

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Opportunities exist to expand these traditional
exports, in particular maize.

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Other opportunities exist in fast moving consumer
goods,

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and in facilitating and formalizing informal
trade.

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At the northern end of the lake is Bujumbura
port

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serving as a gateway to Burundi and the Eastern
Congo.

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The challenges confronting trade between Mpulungu
and Bujumbura are

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emblematic of the wider challenges to trade
on Lake Tanganyika

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These include infrastructure bottlenecks,

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a lack of market information and awareness

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and a lack of regional cooperation.

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Ngwenya market in Mpulungu

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is a thriving market and landing site

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serving informal traders and entrepreneurs.

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Informal or small-scale traders face similar
challenges

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as formal or large-scale traders.

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One challenge is the reliance on small wooden
boats

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with limited capacity, range and a poor safety
record.

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A game changer would be modernized transportation
services

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such as a combined cargo/passengers vessel
similar to the MV Liemba

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allowing traders to travel together with their
cargo.

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Or containerization, allowing to ship smaller
consignments safe and efficiently.

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The Netherlands Government is committed to
facilitate trade on Lake Tanganyika

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and increase sustainable economic activities
in the region.

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The Netherlands closely collaborates with
the

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Zambian government and other local stakeholders.

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Contributions to the rehabilitation and upgrade
of Lake Tanganyika ports,

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specifically at Mpulungu are currently assessed.

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Collaboration is facilitated by the Zambia-Netherlands
Maritime Platform.

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The Dutch are also exploring means to establish
a strong private sector in the economic

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hinterland around Mpulungu port to support
future users of the infrastructure

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Investments in agricultural development will
improve food security in an unstable region.

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This will create opportunities for communities
around the lake

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strengthen trade, and enhance the resilience
of a fragile region.