First one-stop border post opens for business

Southern Africa’s first ever one-stop border post will be a reality before the end of the year, says Barney Curtis, executive director of the Federations of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta). The Chirundu border post between Zambia and Zimbabwe is on track for an official launch in November this year. Set to have opened its doors on September 25, the big event was postponed due to several unexpected problems. “The two countries have managed to pass the laws needed to allow such a border post to operate and all the various legal pieces are now in place. It has not been an easy process as this is the first of its kind in Africa and we have had teething problems, but we will have a one-stop border post by the end of the year.” Expected to be faster and more efficient than the traditional border post system, one-stop border posts have been on the agenda of SADC and its alliance partners for years. Following a decision that it was time for action, three border posts were identified by SADC, Comesa and EAC – one in West Africa, one in East Africa and one in Southern Africa. “The Regional Trade Facilitation Programme was given the mandate to manage the process and yes it has taken a few years, but all the correct processes were followed and the correct laws put in place to ensure that it was done right the first time round,” says Curtis. “The other two border posts identified are also proceeding well towards opening their one-stop posts.” He said because the proper channels were followed Chirundu saw donors coming on board and supporting the process financially. “Other attempts at launching one-stop border posts where countries have tried to go it alone have not progressed well, as they did not involve the private sector and worked under the auspices of the Comesa/EAC/SADC Tripartite Alliance. Working together as a region one can achieve so much – Chirundu is proof of that. It may not happen fast, but it does happen.”