‘Too many cooks spoiling the border efficiency broth

Attempts to alleviate the major problem of border post delays in Africa may just be a case of “too many cooks spoiling the broth”, according to Lawrie Bateman, director of MSC Logistics. “The volume of cargo, both international and local, moving overborder has increased considerably over the past decade,” he told FTW. “But, unfortunately, so have the delays and costs. “While there are concerned organisations involved in efforts to alleviate the problems, the question is: Are there too many?” Among others, there are the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC); the East African Community (EAC); the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa); the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta); and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) – all involved in attempting to solve the border delays hassle. But, he asked, even with all their regular meetings and conferences, are they actually solving the major problems that exist for importers and exporters? He believes the required solutions include: reducing the cost of crossborder trade; overcoming the administrative hurdles; somehow simplifying the complex customs procedures, clearance and cargo inspections; cutting down on border post delays; improving security and reducing corruption; and standardising the currently different requirements at each border. What is needed to unlock the growth potential of trade through the Southern African transport arteries (especially the north/south corridor), Bateman told FTW, “is high-level political commitment, together with private sector involvement from major transport and logistical companies. “At the same time, we must not forget development banks and world aid organisations – as funding will be required to develop and refurbish the presently ailing infrastructure of the road and rail networks throughout the region.” To see the required principles in action, and the benefits of mutual co-operation and overseas funding, one just has to look at the new “onestop” Chirundu Border Post between Zimbabwe and Zambia, he added. “Although truck delays have not been completely eradicated,” said Bateman, “there is certainly an improvement on the previous delays of up to a month – or more on occasion. “Let’s hope that we will soon enjoy similar innovation throughout all of southern Africa.”