Zimbabwe mobilises region towards full digitalisation of borders

by MARCUS MUSHONGA
HARARE – ZIMBABWE is pushing for fully digitalised, non-stop borders, championing plans by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to transition from physical, paperwork-heavy border crossings.

The Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade are leading the initiative.

At the latest plenary in Parliament ahead of this past weekend, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira highlighted progress towards digitalising borders with neighbouring countries.

He said consultations had been completed with Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia. Similar discussions with South Africa are scheduled for next month.

“This initiative reflects the national mantra: ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’,” Murwira said.

At the weekend, Vice President Kembo Mohadi officially commissioned the Kasambabezi Border Post in Binga to enhance cross-border relations between Zimbabwe and its northern neighbour, Zambia.

The post is in addition to the Chirundu Border Post between the two countries. It was established in 2009 as Africa’s first fully operational one-stop border post.

Mohadi said the new facility had been designed to accommodate the Online Border Management System (OBMS), which will modernise operations by integrating border agencies, thereby reducing clearance times for travellers and strengthening national security through improved data-driven tracking.

“The new infrastructure will provide a more conducive environment for public officials serving at the country’s frontier,” Mohadi said.

Zimbabwe shares land borders with the four countries mentioned above and a micro-border of about 150 metres with Namibia on the Zambezi River.

The Beitbridge Border Post with South Africa is the busiest land border crossing in the region and a vital trade gateway for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Victoria Falls-Livingstone cross-border rail link between Zambia and Zimbabwe connects regional freight networks.

Activities at border posts linking Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries are also playing a vital role as countries repatriate, mostly by road, their citizens following anti-migrant violence in South Africa.

The 16-member SADC is transitioning towards fully digitalised, non-stop corridor systems and one-stop border posts (OSBPs) to reduce severe transit delays, cut logistics costs and align with the AfCFTA digital trade framework.

– CAJ News