Advancing Regional Trade: SADC Hosts One Stop Border Post Orientation Workshop in Zambia
In a major step toward enhancing regional trade integration, the SADC Secretariat, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ Cooperation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration (CESARE) Programme, convened an OSBP Orientation Workshop in Livingstone, Zambia from 18 to 20 September 2024. The sensitisation workshop was designed as a benchmarking study, using the Kazungula Bridge OSBP between Zambia and Botswana as a model example for a border management system where neighbouring countries combine their border control functions in a single location to streamline trade, enhance security, and reduce waiting times
The workshop attracted over 60 participants from the relevant government line ministries in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, as well as from the private sector in both countries. It provided guidance and enabled stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding of how an OSBP is developed and operates on the ground.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on 18 September, the Director of Industrial Development and Trade (IDT) at the SADC Secretariat, Mr. Dhunraj Kassee, explained that the OSBP intervention was one of the key projects endorsed and signed by the Ministers of the DRC and Zambia during the SADC inter-ministerial meeting held in Kinshasa in May 2024. To kick-start the process, both countries requested the Secretariat to provide capacity development support for the design of the OSBP. The Secretariat responded to this request by organising this practical workshop.
During the workshop, the OSBP expert, Mr. Sydney Chibbabbuka, introduced participants to the OSBP concept as border management and trade facilitation instrument. An overview of the legal, institutional, infrastructural and ICT frameworks was also presented and discussed with the workshop participants. Critical success factors for the operationalisation of an OSBP, including the effective implementation of OSBP processes and procedures as well as pre-arrival clearance, were presented and discussed with the delegates. In preparation for possible future discussions and negotiations on the establishment of an OSBP between the DRC and Zambia, delegates identified critical issues related to these topics, as well as processes that would be required in the establishment of a potential OSBP.
The highlight of the workshop was the visit to the Kazungula Bridge OSBP, some 60km from Livingstone. Participants appreciated the engineering feat involved in the design and construction of the Kazungula Bridge over the Zambezi River, where the four countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge. The Kazungula Bridge is a vital infrastructure project that facilitates the movement of goods and people across Southern Africa, serving as a critical link between major trade corridors.
The Kazungula OSBP facilities were completed and commissioned in May 2021 at a total cost of USD 269 million with support from the Government of Japan and the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is noteworthy that the entire financing cost of the Kazungula Bridge of USD 172 million was fully covered by the two governments of Botswana and Zambia, a clear demonstration of ownership of development interventions as advocated by the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.
The workshop participants learned that since the Kanzungula OSBP became operational, the clearance and release of trucks has improved from an average of 80 units per day to an average of 300 units per day. The time taken to clear a truck has been reduced from an average of five days to 14 hours. In addition, both countries have seen an overall improvement in trade facilitation, security and safety of goods and people, and an increase in revenue collection. Both countries also indicated challenges to the consistent application of OSBP processes and procedures. Overall, delegates from both SADC member states left the workshop energised, motivated, and inspired with new ideas to return home and begin the planning process for the joint establishment of the Kasumbalesa OSBP.
Kasumbalesa is a cross-border town straddling the two SADC countries. It is a semi-urban habitation to the northern part of the Copperbelt province of Zambia and the southern part of Halt Katanga Province of the DRC. Kasumbalesa Border Post is the second busiest border post in the SADC region after Beitbridge and a convergence point of all major corridors in Southern Africa.
GIZ continues to support the SADC Secretariat’s efforts to advance trade integration. Lessons learned from this workshop will provide a blueprint for future cross-border projects across the region.
BMZ supports the development of trade regulations, strategies, and infrastructure in Southern Africa to improve product quality inspections, standards compliance, and customs procedures, while also promoting greater value addition within Africa.