As part of a drive to boost trade between member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), Tanzania and Zambia have officially launched their new one-stop border post, Tunduma-Nakonde.
The launch, hosted by Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu, saw the opening of the $7.8m-border post, which will reduce waiting time from four days to just one.
Trade volume between Tanzania and Zambia surged from $89mn in 2010 to $265bn last year.
Magufuli said he hoped for more growth, with 965 large and medium-scale enterprises from Tanzania investing in Zambia, while eight Zambian companies have created 312 jobs, investing more than $10m in Tanzania.
“The one stop boarder will thus facilitate trade and address challenges and delays which were hitherto impeding exporters and importers from the two countries which enjoy historical bilateral ties,” said Magufuli.
However, the situation is a little different for the once-thriving Tazara (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) railway, with little to no effort in the upkeep of the line damaging prospects for another mode of transporting cargo between the two nations.
“Tazama oil pipeline is performing well but there are some issues with Tazara which need to be addressed to make the railway line operate profitably,” Maguful said.
Lungu was generous in his praise for the new border post.
“There is a need for Tanzania and Zambia to continue the cooperation for betterment of the people in the two countries.
“Tazara (Tanzania Zambia Railway) and Tazama (Tanzania Zambia Oil Pipeline) are examples of perfect partnerships between our two countries,” he said. - Bjorn Vorster
