Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat recently conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of border management and trade facilitation systems at the Cuchamano/Nyamapanda Border Post between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The assessment was part of a broader commitment made during the 13th Ministerial Task Force (MTF) meeting on Regional Economic Integration held in July 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique, where Ministers pledged to enhance border efficiencies and trade facilitation at key border posts.
Senior Programme Officer – Customs in the Directorate of Finance, Investment and Customs (FIC), Alcides Monteiro, led the SADC Secretariat team.
The team was welcomed by the two border post managers – Ms Edeline Manhanga from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and Ms Gabriela Stela Tembe, Officer-in-Charge from the Mozambique Revenue Authority – as well as Government agencies.
“The border assessment mission has been conducted at Cuchamano/Nyamapanda Border Post to assess the effectiveness of border management and trade facilitation measures, with particular attention to operating hours, transit procedures, the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) concept, progress on the implementation of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) initiative, information exchange between agencies, neighbouring Member States regulatory frameworks, and border infrastructure.
“The Cuchamano/Nyamapanda Border Post between Mozambique and Zimbabwe is a vital junction along the North South Corridor and Beira Corridor and not only serves Mozambique and Zimbabwe but also facilitates trade and movement of people between Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia, among other countries,” said the SADC Secretariat.
According to the SADC report from the recent assessment, the border post is currently operating every day from 6 am to 8 pm.
The development has accelerated the clearance of goods and alleviated congestion at the border, which currently handles an average of 80 trucks per day.
These advancements align with the broader objectives of the SADC Protocol on Trade and the World Trade Organisation – Trade Facilitation Agreement, aimed at reducing clearance time, costs and compliance risks.
“As the SADC Secretariat continues to monitor, evaluate, and support these initiatives, the Cuchamano/Nyamapanda Border Post stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and commitment to regional economic growth.
“This development not only benefits the Member States involved but sets the stage for a more integrated and prosperous Southern Africa and Africa at large.
“The assessment mission provided an opportunity for stakeholders to identify operational challenges and discuss practical measures to improve the efficiency of the border post.”
Recommendations emerging from the mission are expected to contribute to improved coordination among border agencies, streamlined transit procedures, enhanced information exchange, stronger implementation of coordinated border management and better use of border infrastructure.
The recommendations will be submitted to SADC Policy meetings.
