In a major move to enhance cross-border trade and transit between Zambia and Tanzania, the Government of Zambia and TradeMark Africa (TMA) officially handed over the site for upgrading the Nakonde border into a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) to the contractor. This event marks the commencement of substantial improvement works aimed at easing congestion and facilitating smoother trade flows along the crucial Dar es Salaam Corridor. The handing-over ceremony was attended by representatives from the Zambian and UK governments, TradeMark Africa, and the contracted construction firm, emphasizing the collaborative nature of this project. Funded by the UK government, the project involves an investment of approximately £8.4 million, signifying a robust commitment to enhancing regional trade infrastructure.
The Nakonde border post upgrade is poised to revolutionize operations at one of Zambia’s busiest entry and exit points for cargo, which is vital for the transportation of essential goods such as food, fuel, and fertilizers. The improvements include upgrading internal roads within the OSBP, enhancing the truck parking yard, constructing additional office buildings and warehouses, and installing a state-of-the-art x-ray cargo scanner. Furthermore, the project will digitize clearance processes and implement smart gates to dramatically reduce truck dwell times from the current 64 hours to less than 10 hours—a remarkable 84% reduction. This reduction in clearance times is expected to significantly cut delays and operational costs for businesses, thereby boosting trade efficiency and economic growth in the region.
The site handover follows the signing of a Partner Support Agreement (PSA) between the Government of Zambia and TradeMark Africa in March this year, solidifying their joint commitment to enhancing border operations. Jovin Mwemezi, Director Southern Africa at TMA, highlighted the importance of this project, stating, “This is an important milestone in our multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts to facilitate seamless trade, not just between Tanzania and Zambia, but along the Central Corridor. We are happy to be partnering with the governments of the UK and Zambia to implement such a critical trade facilitation project, which has the potential to catalyse regional trade and facilitate intra-regional commerce.”
The improvements at the Nakonde-Tunduma border align with TMA’s broader initiatives to streamline trade across Africa. With over 15 OSBPs established in East Africa, which have resulted in an average 70% reduction in border crossing times, the Nakonde project is set to significantly deepen trade ties between Zambia and its neighbors. The enhanced border post is expected to leverage Zambia’s strategic position as a land-linked country, heavily reliant on regional ports and corridors for its international trade. By reducing the time and costs associated with cross-border trade, the Nakonde OSBP will enhance Zambia’s competitiveness and stimulate economic development.
Andrew Njelesani, the Provincial Infrastructure Officer for Muchinga Province in northern Zambia, urged the contractor to expedite the civil works to enable traders and border users to benefit from increased efficiency and enhanced clearance processes as soon as possible. He stated, “As we officially hand over the site to the contractor, we urge them to expedite the civil works so that traders and border users can start enjoying the benefits of increased border efficiency and enhanced clearance. This will be a game changer for our economy by reducing delays and boosting trade operations between Zambia and our neighbours.”
Building upon the successful UK-funded upgrade of the Tunduma OSBP on the Tanzanian side, which included the installation of x-ray cargo scanners and led to a 40% reduction in cargo processing time, the Nakonde OSBP upgrade is anticipated to further streamline trade operations along the Dar es Salaam Corridor. These initiatives exemplify the positive impact of international cooperation and investment in regional trade infrastructure, promising a more integrated and efficient trade environment for Zambia and the broader region.
