Source: Beitbridge Border Post transformation drives trade efficiency – herald
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE country’s Beitbridge Border Post has emerged as a game-changer in the region following a three-phase transformation programme.
The port of entry has set a new standard for efficient trade and travel, driven by a robust public-private partnership between the Government and the Zimborders Consortium.
It is now a model of excellence, boasting cutting-edge technology, expanded capacity and enhanced security features.
Under a 17-and-a-half-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) concession, the Government and Zimborders invested US$300 million into the project, significantly reducing congestion and wait times and reinforcing Zimbabwe’s position as open for business.
The border post is a critical gateway for citizens and transporters from SADC countries, as well as international tourists.
It handles nearly 300 000 commercial trucks and over seven million travellers annually.
With new terminals catering for freight, buses, pedestrians and private vehicles, Beitbridge has become easier to navigate.
Cargo clearance times have dropped from 24 to 72 hours to under three hours for 60 percent of commercial cargo.
The border’s transformation has attracted global attention, with visitors coming to witness the changes, underscoring the Second Republic’s proactive approach to border management and its positioning as a regional leader in facilitating trade and travel.
Zimborders Consortium general manager Mr Nqobile Ncube said that during the concession period, the consortium will maintain the infrastructure, recover its investment through user fees and eventually hand over the facility to the Government.
“You will note that in the pre-Independence era, the port of entry was located at the building now housing Civil Registry offices and related Government departments and service providers. That was the first border, which was accessed through the old Alfred Beit Bridge,” he said.
“Then around 1992, the border was moved to its current location, where expansion has grown almost four-fold. So, when South Africa became independent around 1994, the SADC element came in, with many trade and travel opportunities opening up, stretching to countries far north of the Limpopo River.
“The trade corridor became bigger and there was talk of expansion from 2015 and 2016, realising that Beitbridge is a nerve centre in terms of the movement of people and goods in the region.”
He added: “After Bi-National Commission (BNC) engagements with South Africa, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to expand infrastructure, and Zimbabweans undertook a study and rolled out one of the biggest public-private partnership (PPP) projects, which gave birth to the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post.”
Mr Ncube highlighted that the border was designed to accommodate the envisaged One Stop Border Post concept between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The modernisation included five major out-of-port facilities to support operations.
These include the construction of 220 staff houses, an 11,4-megalitre water reservoir, a new sewer oxidation dam, an animal plant and quarantine centre with laboratories, and a fire station within Beitbridge town.
“To boost efficiency, the transformed port of entry now has new terminals catering for freight, buses, pedestrians and private vehicles. Zimbabwe is now open for business. The project was fully completed in December 2022,” said Mr Ncube.
“Other facilities at the border include the Port Health Centre, State warehouses, weighbridges, animal sheds, adequate office accommodation, separation of traffic, automated boom gates, fast cargo mobile scanners, baggage scanners, biometric access, 500 CCTV cameras, a Facial Recognition System (FRS), a public address system, the Zimborders Traffic Flow System, signage and call-out boards on traffic movement.”
In addition, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has recalibrated its services to align with the upgraded infrastructure, while the Department of Immigration has introduced an Online Border Management System and electronic gates (e-gates).
Beitbridge remains the largest access point to South Africa, one of Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partners, and a key link along the North-South Corridor in SADC.
Mr Ncube said the border is now processing an average of 1 000 commercial trucks daily, with 65 percent cleared within three hours.
“Beitbridge should be a pivotal cog of the North-South Corridor trajectory that supports economic development in the country, and already we have seen that the Government is investing massively in upgrading the road network between Harare and Beitbridge, Harare and Chirundu, and Beitbridge and Victoria Falls,” he said.
“This means that Zimbabwe’s road network in a few years to come is set to fit into the 2030 agenda, whose major pillar is infrastructure development. The border supports Zimbabwe’s economic growth, with improved efficiency and faster turnaround times.”
Zimbabwe has also adopted a Co-ordinated Border Management approach involving more than 20 Government agencies, alongside systems such as the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), pre-clearance, a Single Window System, a Single Payment System and the electronic Temporary Import Permit (e-TIP).
Regional Immigration Officer for the Southern region, Mr Joshua Chibundu, said congestion has been reduced due to improved traffic separation, better office accommodation and enhanced service delivery.
“For instance, truck drivers are cleared faster than before when they would queue with other travellers, and there is improved communication and liaison among border agencies,” he said.
He added that enhanced surveillance through closed-circuit cameras has helped curb errant behaviour.
Beitbridge Transporters Association chairperson Mr Osbet Shumba also acknowledged the improvements.
“As a transporter, I have seen notable improvements at Beitbridge Border Post, especially in infrastructure and traffic management. Clearance processes are now faster than before,” he said.
“That said, challenges such as system downtime, documentation delays and congestion during peak periods still affect operations. While progress has been made, there is room for further improvement.”
Rural and urban planning expert Dr Percy Toriro said ports of entry are strategic for trade and regional connectivity.
“Beitbridge is one of the largest ports of entry in Africa. It is also one of the fastest-growing urban settlements in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“So, the decision by the Government to upgrade the port was a game-changer as it leveraged its position as an economic enabler. The gains are there for all to see.
“Turnaround times, efficiency and convenience have improved. Moving forward, the Government needs to do the same for Forbes, Chirundu, Plumtree, Victoria Falls and Nyamapanda border posts to complete the transformation.”
Customs clearing agent Mr Granger Nyoni also acknowledged the improved services.
“We note a great improvement compared to previous years. As the volume of trade grows, it becomes apparent that operations need modernisation, and that has been successfully done through automation, separation of services and improved online connectivity, which had been a challenge for freight forwarders,” he said.
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