Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
THE Government is establishing weighbridges along major highways to manage the growing volume of traffic using Zimbabwe’s trunk roads and to ensure vehicles comply with regulated load limits.
The initiative comes amid increased commercial activity on Zimbabwe’s road network, spurred by the country’s strategic geographic location and recent infrastructure upgrades.
Ensuring that heavy vehicles adhere to prescribed weight limits is crucial for protecting newly constructed roads, improving safety and reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Zimbabwe lies at the crossroads of Southern Africa, sharing borders with Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, with this central position making it a key player in connecting major trade corridors running from north to south and east to west.
As a result, the country is increasingly serving as a vital transit hub for the movement of goods across the SADC region.
New figures from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) reflect this shift.
Forbes Border Post, which links Zimbabwe with Mozambique’s Port of Beira, has so far this year overtaken Beitbridge to become the country’s busiest border post for commercial traffic.
Between January and June 2025, Forbes cleared 88 660 outgoing commercial trucks, compared to 62 964 trucks processed at Beitbridge during the same period.
Forbes Border Post now clears over 1 000 trucks daily, underscoring Zimbabwe’s growing importance in regional logistics and the need for upgraded road infrastructure and border systems.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco revealed the initiative last week during a side event titled “Unlocking Socio-Economic Growth Through Sustainable Partnerships” held on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
“In the roads sector, the Government is pushing for the modernisation and upgrading of the border posts around the country,” he said.
“This includes expansion of the border posts and instalment of smart systems to improve traffic flow and streamline border operations.”
To support this initiative, he said, the authorities have engaged local companies to assist with the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of national road infrastructure, including the development of road signage and toll plazas, which are essential for financing road maintenance.
“In addition, the Government, considering the commitments under the SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme (TTTFP), has identified and is currently working on establishment of weighbridges along the major routes to accommodate the growing number of traffic and maintenance of regulated load limits on these roads,” said Deputy Minister Sacco.
He said the issue of transport development must be viewed through the lens of regional collaboration, especially for landlocked developing countries like Zimbabwe.
“Our prosperity is inextricably linked to the prosperity and cooperation of our neighbours and global partners. The very essence of being landlocked compels us to be experts in collaboration.”
He said landlocked countries face challenges such as high transit costs, border inefficiencies and economic vulnerability, calling for deeper partnerships and long-term infrastructure investment.
He cited regional initiatives that have improved trade facilitation, including the establishment of economic corridors like the North-South Corridor, Beira Development Corridor, Walvis Bay Corridor Group (, and the Trans-Kalahari Corridor.
“These initiatives reflect the power of partnerships between governments and the private sector,” he said.
“For example, the Walvis Bay Dry Port Facility was the result of collaboration among landlocked countries, port authorities, and private logistics players, improving cargo movement and boosting corridor traffic.”
