Cross-border truck drivers operating under the banner of the Southern African Development Community have confirmed they will go ahead with a planned protest on 23 February 2026, despite recent engagements with the Zambian government.
The standoff centres on Zambia’s K4,500 Transit Permit, which foreign truck drivers must purchase once they exceed the 90-day annual operating limit in the country. Drivers who do not obtain the permit are reportedly denied entry.
Union representatives say a meeting held with Zambia’s Department of Immigration on 10 January 2026 did little to ease tensions. According to the drivers, the engagement felt one-sided, with little room for them to present their concerns.
At the heart of the dispute is what operators describe as a lack of reciprocity. They argue that while foreign drivers are required to pay for extended access in Zambia, Zambian truck drivers are not subjected to similar permit fees in other SADC member states after surpassing 90 days.
Although Zambia’s Director General of Immigration is said to have indicated that enforcement of the 90-day rule would be relaxed, drivers claim that implementation on the ground remains unchanged. Some allege that trucks are still being turned back at border posts.
As a result, SADC truck drivers have announced a boycott of Zambia-bound trips from 23 February. In solidarity, it is understood that Zambian trucks may also face resistance at entry and exit points across parts of the region.
The potential impact on regional trade could be significant, particularly for transit corridors linking ports to landlocked countries. Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive response as tensions continue to build.
Further updates are expected as the protest date approaches.
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