Members of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) for the Great Lakes Trade Facilitation and Integration Project (GLTFIP) met in Lusaka, Zambia from 14-16 July 2025 to review progress recorded so far. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), development partners, and project implementers.
Speaking during the opening session, Assistant Secretary General in charge of Programmes Amb. Dr. Mohamed Kadah commended the collaborative efforts of Burundi and the DRC.
He also lauded the partnership with the World Bank, emphasizing its crucial role in supporting the project’s objectives.
“The World Bank’s support, alongside the dedication of our Member States, has been instrumental in driving progress towards facilitating trade and enhancing value chain commercialization, especially for small-scale and women traders in border communities,” he added.
The project, launched to promote trade across borderlands of Burundi and DRC, aims to improve livelihoods by simplifying border procedures and enhancing infrastructure. Since the last RCC meeting held in October 2024, notable strides have been made.
These include the official launch of the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR), with both Burundi and DRC domestically implementing the framework through inter-ministerial decrees. Additionally, the signing of Ministerial Decrees on Joint Border Committees (JBCs) and the appointment of their members mark significant milestones towards streamlining border management.
The Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to support the two countries in advancing these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of accelerating infrastructure development. Progress in constructing modern border facilities and access roads was acknowledged, with encouragement extended to project implementing units (PIUs) to expedite activities.
However, the meeting also addressed pressing challenges such as political and security instability in parts of eastern DRC, which has impeded the implementation of project activities. A recent assessment conducted during a March 2025 meeting in Bujumbura, involving the World Bank, COMESA, and the two member states, proposed measures to mitigate risks posed by ongoing conflicts.
Participants discussed strategies to adapt project activities to the evolving security landscape, emphasizing the need for workable solutions to ensure the continuity of trade facilitation efforts. The RCC underscored the importance of maintaining momentum in border infrastructure development and policy reforms, even amidst regional security concerns.
As the region navigates these complex circumstances, the RCC reaffirmed its commitment to fostering regional integration, economic growth, and improved livelihoods for border communities.