Representatives from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique met in Harare, Zimbabwe on Tuesday 9 June and jointly launched a drive to remove persistent bottlenecks on regional transport corridors after noting that border delays, regulatory fragmentation and infrastructure constraints were increasing business costs.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the Trilateral Joint Route Management Group and Joint Committee.
Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Joy Makumbe said transport operators continue to face a maze of inconsistent regulations and procedures when moving goods across the region.
The result, she said, has been longer transit times, increased demurrage charges, missed commercial opportunities and higher transport costs that are weighing on regional economic growth.
“These inconsistencies create unnecessary administrative and operational constraints,” Makumbe said. “The net effect is reduced corridor efficiency, undermining the fundamental role of transport corridors in facilitating trade and contributing to unsustainably high transport costs.”
Regional trade experts say inefficient border systems remain one of the biggest non-tariff barriers to trade in southern Africa, with delays often adding significant costs to freight operations and reducing the competitiveness of exporters.
Makumbe identified congestion at ports and border posts, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented operational procedures and security challenges linked to illicit activities as major obstacles affecting transport efficiency.
The corridors linking the three countries serve as critical arteries for regional commerce, supporting sectors ranging from mining and agriculture to manufacturing and tourism. Any disruptions along these routes have direct impact on supply chains and investment flows.
To address these challenges, the three governments are pursuing greater harmonisation of transport regulations, coordinated border inspections and wider adoption of technology-driven border management systems.
Officials also highlighted the need for stronger infrastructure investment to keep pace with growing traffic volumes.
Zimbabwe recently upgraded the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway and is prioritising improvements on the Harare-Chirundu, Harare-Nyamapanda and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls roads. Authorities are also modernising key border facilities, building on the success of the upgraded Beitbridge Border Post, while rehabilitation of Forbes and Nyamapanda border posts remains a priority.
Makumbe said efficient transport corridors were no longer simply a logistics issue but a strategic economic imperative.
“The issues on the agenda are not merely technical — they are developmental. Efficient transport corridors reduce the cost of doing business, attract investment, create jobs and improve the lives of our people, she added.
Newsday.co.zw
