At least ten new One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) are either partially or fully operational in the East African Community (EAC) while more OSBPs are expected to come on line in the next five to ten years as the concept continues to gain traction on the continent.
This includes Kazungula between Zambia and Botswana where the Kazungula Bridge project is nearing completion. The construction of this bridge will open up the transport corridor between the two countries which have to date relied on a ferry to move trucks from one country to the other.
It’s often congested (not only because of the ferry operations) but also the slow processes, and the opening of an OSBP will significantly reduce the transit time between the two borders.
According to Eisuke Tachibana, infrastructure adviser seconded from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the regional integration, infrastructure and trade division at the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) Planning and Coordinating Agency, there are at present about 80 OSBPs in Africa in various stages of implementation – such as identification, design, construction and operationalisation. Countries across the continent are investing time and capital into the concept, demonstrating not only the commitment to OSBPs but also their importance.
JICA, he said, was supporting 14 OSBPs on the continent at present. “In southern Africa Chirundu has been operating since 2009 and we expect to see more come online in the next five years, including Kazungula, Beitbridge, Mamuno/ Trans Kalahari between Namibia and Botswana, and Tunduma/ Nakonde between Zambia and Tanzania.
Tachibana said Beitbridge remained one of the most highly prioritised border posts in the region.
“There are many challenges up to operationalisation of the OSBP, but it is possible if there is strong commitment from two countries,” he said.
Whilst South Africa and Zimbabwe agreed in 2009 to work together to cut the massive delays at the border by implementing an OSBP, very little has since happened. Officials from both countries met in October last year in an effort to speed up the development of a legal framework for the OSBP.
“Having noted the developments on the one-stop border post (OSBP) at Beitbridge, the two heads of state welcomed the establishment of a joint technical committee whose mandate, among other things, will be to develop the necessary legal framework for the project. The two heads of state reaffirmed the strategic importance of the OSBP and directed the relevant ministers to fast-track its operationalisation,” reads a statement released by the Presidency after the meeting.
According to Tachibana, the pressure must continue on both South Africa and Zimbabwe with regard to the border post.
“The way forward includes the formulation of a comprehensive bilateral “road map“ for the operationalisation of the Beitbridge OSBP, the integration of the Beitbridge Master Plans between Zimbabwe and South Africa, the finalisation of the legal set up at national and bilateral level, and the functionalisation of an institutional framework at national and bilateral level.”
CAPTION
Efforts are under way to fast track the one-stop border at Beitbridge.
