Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw
ZIMBABWE and South Africa are edging closer to operationalising the long-awaited one-stop border post (OSBP) project at Beitbridge, a key milestone set to boost regional integration and trade between the two neighbouring countries.
One-stop centres and OSBP are crucial components in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping to streamline cross-border trade by consolidating services at a single location.
This development emerged yesterday during a tour of the Beitbridge Border Post by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Dr Amon Murwira, and his South African counterpart, Minister of International Relations, Mr Ronald Lamola. The two ministers later held a closed-door bilateral meeting.
The discussions centred on strengthening co-operation in trade, investment and cross-border infrastructure. Both ministers highlighted that efficient border management is central to unlocking economic opportunities under the AfCFTA.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe and South Africa, which already enjoy strong historical and cultural ties, must now translate that relationship into tangible benefits for their citizens.
“We held fruitful deliberations during which we reaffirmed the excellent relations between Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa. Our main theme for today has been regional integration.
“To integrate, we need infrastructure and the Beitbridge Border Post is one such critical facility,” he said.
Prof Murwira reaffirmed that South Africa remains Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner and stressed the importance of removing barriers to trade to spur growth.
“We are reaffirming the excellent relations that exist between Zimbabwe and South Africa and we want these excellent relations to be reflected in the day-to-day lives of our people and mainly through economic activity and social well-being,” he said.
Minister Lamola congratulated Zimbabwe on the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post, describing it as a model project for the SADC region.
“Our engagement today was informed by a flagship SADC project — the one-stop border post. This will not only boost intra-SADC trade but also deepen political, cultural and social ties,” he said.
Minister Lamola confirmed South Africa’s commitment to fast-tracking its own border modernisation to align with Zimbabwe’s pace and ensure full interoperability.
The meeting also came as South Africa reaffirmed its support for Zimbabwe’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2027–2028.
The Beitbridge Border Post — the busiest land port in Southern Africa — has undergone a US$300 million modernisation project through the Zimborders Consortium under a public-private partnership. Zimborders Consortium built, operates and will eventually transfer the modernised facility back to the Government after 17 years, recouping its investment through border user fees.
The facility now boasts dedicated terminals for buses, trucks and pedestrians, state-of-the-art ICT systems, and streamlined traffic management.
Authorities report that 60 percent of commercial cargo is now cleared in less than three hours. With nearly 7 million travellers and thousands of vehicles using the border annually, the upgrade has dramatically improved efficiency and positioned Beitbridge as a regional trade hub.
An estimated seven million travellers use the border annually, while nearly 1,200 commercial trucks, 200 buses, and 2,100 light vehicles pass through the port daily.
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