This will be a breakthrough in the trade and movement between Tanzania and Zambia, as President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned Phase One of the Nakonde One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Nakonde. The project is expected to transform the border town into a key economic hub as it will make the transportation of goods and people across the border easier and more convenient.
President Hichilema, in his address, called the new OSBP a game-changer in trade and regional integration. He further stated that the Nakonde border had not been contributing maximum dividends to Zambia due to the slow operations of clearing and inefficiencies. The new system will see both countries carry out a mutual border inspection at the same location, which will lead to reduced time wastage and increased efficiency.
The other measure that the President also demanded was the move to facilitate movement across boundaries even more by introducing a single digital identity system. To him, the ease will not only be beneficial as in the movement between the two countries of Zambia and Tanzania, but it will also signify the strong rapport that exists between the two nations. One people, one people, we have to smooth out the movement of our countries, he said.
In addition to the border post, President Hichilema announced the start of a new international airport in Mwenzo, which belongs to Nakonde. The airport will be in a position to maintain the border facility by improving the transport and boosting trade in the region. A combination of the two projects is considered to be the driver of economic growth.
The Nakonde OSBP is strategically located in some of the major trade routes, including the North-South Corridor and the Dar es Salaam Corridor. It serves as a gateway to the Port of Dar es Salaam, which is one of the important entry and exit points for products in the area. This makes the border post very significant in imports and exports.
President Hichilema opines that increased efficiency at the border would increase the revenue of the government that would be spent on social programs such as free education, hiring of teachers, water and sanitation, and school feeding. He also recognized the traditional leaders, cooperating partners, and Trademark Africa who supported the project and helped it to be successful.
The project also complies with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims at improving intra-African trade by reducing barriers and increasing connectivity. Hichilema has also emphasized that these objectives can be achieved through the assistance of a better infrastructure, like the OSBP.
The President showed hope that Phase Two of the project would begin soon. He also highlighted the other notable infrastructural projects, like the rehabilitation of the Tanzania-Zambia railway authority and the power and pipeline connection between the two countries.
According to Hichilema, we do not want Nakonde to be just a transit point, but a strong linking point to other markets. He also alleged that Zambia could not be considered landlocked, but rather land-linked, that is, Zambia is closely bound with its neighbors.
Generally, the Nakonde OSBP would play a critical role in boosting trade, improving the integration of the region, and the economic growth in both Zambia and Tanzania.
