In a significant step towards fostering regional economic integration, the Beitbridge border post, which connects South Africa and Zimbabwe, the Beitbridge Border Post has made significant strides in enhancing regional trade through improving efficiency by adoption of trade facilitation measures following a detailed study visit conducted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat. This initiative is part of a broader commitment made by Member States during the 13th meeting of the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) meeting on Regional Economic Integration held in July 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique, where the ministers pledged to enhance border efficiencies and trade facilitation at key border posts.
The mission was led by Senior Programme Officer – Customs, Mr. Alcides Monteiro, the SADC team conducted its assessment from 24 to 25, July 2025. The objectives of the study were comprehensively, focusing on several critical factors including the operating hours of adjacent border posts, the implementation of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) concept, progress on the implementation of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept, and the efficiency of transit procedures. It was also included to evaluate the time required for released the goods and the state of ICT connectivity at the border and also with the neighboring country Zimbabwe.
The Beitbridge border post is a vital junction along the North-South Corridor, not only serves South Africa and Zimbabwe but also facilitates trade with Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, (DRC) Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and the rest of SADC Member States.
The recent assessment revealed that the Beitbridge border post is now operational 24/7 for tourism and passenger traffic, and 12 hours a day for commercial goods. This improvement not only accelerates the clearance of goods but also alleviates congestion at the border, currently handling an impressive average of over 300 trucks per day. These milestones are aligned with the broader objectives of the SADC Protocol on Trade and World Trade Organization – Trade Facilitation Agreement addresses the promotion efficient trade practices across the region.
Furthermore, the SADC team observed a strategic reduction in the number of border agencies operating at Beitbridge and currently South Africa is implementing Border Management Authority (BMA) comprised of Immigration, Agriculture, Law Enforcement and Porth Health. BMA is an advanced stage of CBM concept, and was established in South Africa in 2020 and started operation in 2023. BMA has established coordination mechanism with South Africa Revenue Service (SARS), South Africa Policy Service (SAPS) and South Africa National Defense (SANDF). Implementation Protocol is also in place to for BMA to work with others stakeholder like Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) and Department of Transport (DOT). The number of the border agencies were therefore streamlined through the BMA.
The Border Post is currently benefiting from some renovation in order to be more effective and efficient for facilitate trade and eventually implement other trade facilitation concept in line with SADC Regional Integration Agenda.
Having noted that South Africa has made substantive progress in embracing trade facilitation tolls at Beitbridge, the Secretariat team has advised to consider the implementation of Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept expeditiously.
The SADC Secretariat will continue to assess the implementation of Trade Facilitation Programme and the Protocol on Trade at the major border post with the view to consolidate the Free Trade Area (FTA) in line with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and also for support the Industrialization Agenda anchored on Regional Value Chain (RVC). It is expected that these initiatives will contribute for improving ease of doing business and increase the intra SADC Trade.
