Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE and Mozambique have embarked on ambitious infrastructure projects to establish multi-million dollar dry ports in Mutare and Dondo respectively, in a major push to eliminate chronic truck congestion at Forbes Border Post and improve efficiency along the strategic Beira Corridor.
The twin projects are aimed at tackling persistent bottlenecks at Forbes Border Post, Zimbabwe’s busiest commercial gateway, where lengthy delays have disrupted the movement of cargo and left hundreds of haulage trucks stranded for days, sometimes weeks.
Authorities on both sides of the border have attributed the congestion to incomplete transporter documentation, cumbersome clearance procedures and limited processing capacity, resulting in truck queues stretching several kilometres beyond the border.
In Zimbabwe, construction of the Mutare Dry Port is already underway under the stewardship of the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF).
The site has become a hive of activity, with heavy machinery and construction crews working around the clock to accelerate completion of the facility, which is expected to play a critical role in easing pressure at Forbes Border Post.
Once operational, the dry port will handle overflow cargo, facilitate faster customs processing and significantly reduce congestion at the border.
Across the border, the Mozambican Government has approved the development of a US$110 million Dondo Dry Port in Sofala Province. The facility will operate as an extension of the Port of Beira, and is expected to boost cargo-handling capacity, decongest the city and reduce vessel waiting times.
The two facilities form part of a broader modernisation drive targeting the Beira Corridor, one of Southern Africa’s most important trade routes.
Authorities are also working on extensive upgrades at Forbes Border Post, including the construction of modern entry and exit points, the introduction of streamlined customs systems and enhanced coordination between Zimbabwean and Mozambican border agencies.
The interventions come amid growing concern from transporters, clearing agents, importers and exporters who have incurred substantial losses due to prolonged border delays.
A recent visit by The Manica Post revealed that truck backlogs remain particularly severe on the Mozambican side of the border, with queues stretching well beyond Mumango.
However, the situation has improved considerably on the Zimbabwean side following a series of operational interventions.
Officials believe the new dry ports will provide a long-term solution by separating transit cargo processing from border clearance procedures, a move expected to drastically reduce waiting times, improve cargo movement and increase trade volumes across the corridor.
Construction of state-of-the-art entry and exit facilities on both sides of the border is also at an advanced planning stage, with paperwork and physical development processes progressing in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The upgrades are expected to enhance the smooth flow of people, goods and traffic while strengthening the economic integration of the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 20th Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) annual conference held in Nyanga last Friday, Mozambique’s Deputy Head of Mission to Zimbabwe, Mr Laurindo Lampiao, said his Government will grant a concession for the construction and operation of the Dondo Dry Port through a public-private partnership arrangement.
“The Government of Mozambique has agreed to have a one-stop-border in three areas, including Machipanda and Nyanga. There is also an agreement to establish a dry port in Beira, and for that, the Government has already located a place in Dondo. This is already work in progress, and it will help a lot.
The Zimbabwean Government is already formalising the request for the land. We will also have a dry port in Tete that will help Malawi and Zimbabwe. Let me also add that in the Zambezi Valley Corridor, we will also connect the Nacala Corridor to Zimbabwe,” he said.
PSPF chief executive officer, Dr Farai Gaba remained tight-lipped on the new Mutare Dry Port progress, citing restrictive protocol.
However, stakeholders expressed optimism that the rising facility, to be equipped with modern cargo equipment, including gantry cranes, reach stackers, forklifts and container scanners, will be what the doctor has prescribed.
They believe the infrastructure will decongest Forbes Border Post, accelerate turnaround times, and position Mutare as a competitive logistics hub for regional trade along the Beira Corridor.
SFAAZ chief executive officer, Mr Washington Dube, said: “We believe that for a country to grow, there is need for efficiency in its participation in international trade – buying and selling among ourselves. We should encourage more trade with our sister republics, and find lasting solutions to challenges we have in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“As a sector, we have faced a lot of challenges at Forbes Border Post, and we are happy that the Government is doing its part to address these challenges, especially the long queues that used to happen on the Zimbabweans side, which are now a thing of the past. Queues have shifted to the Mozambican side, and we have highlighted that it does not bode well for international trade if trucks spend extended times at the border post. Seamless border posts are an important part of international trade, and we are conversing with relevant the Government departments and regulatory authorities to ensure that as a region we improve on our border post operations.”
Moffat Mungazi