By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE modernised Beitbridge Border Post has attracted continental recognition after senior customs officials from West Africa visited the facility on Monday for a benchmarking mission.
The delegation was accompanied by representatives from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank),
The visit, facilitated by Afreximbank, gave the delegation an opportunity to tour the border post and learn about Zimbabwe’s approach to border modernisation, customs management and trade facilitation.
The benchmarking mission comes as African countries seek to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving border infrastructure and simplifying customs procedures.
Speaking after the presentation and tour, Afreximbank Director of Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion, Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, said efficient border infrastructure is critical to unlocking trade across the continent.
He said Afreximbank has been working with several African countries to promote intra-African trade, but noted that poor border infrastructure and inefficient customs procedures remain major barriers.
Dr Zanamwe said the delegation was brought to Beitbridge to witness first-hand how Zimbabwe has transformed one of Africa’s busiest border posts into a modern trade gateway.
“We realised that we will not be able to significantly increase intra-African trade unless we address challenges at our borders. We agreed that it was important to bring the delegation to Beitbridge so they could see this state-of-the-art border facility and appreciate the progress that has been made in facilitating trade and improving border efficiency,” he said.
Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi described the Beitbridge Border Post as a world-class facility capable of matching similar infrastructure anywhere in the world.
He said the delegation was impressed not only by the physical infrastructure but also by the integrated border management system led by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
“The first lesson is that a modern border post requires state-of-the-art infrastructure, and we have seen those facilities here in Beitbridge. It is the considered view of the delegations from Nigeria, Cameroon and the Republic of Benin that this border facility can rival any of its kind in Europe or elsewhere in the world. It is truly world-class,” he said.
Dr Adeniyi said efficient border management depends on more than infrastructure alone.
“Infrastructure alone—brick and mortar—does not make an efficient border. When efficient processes are combined with modern infrastructure, border services become faster and more effective. These are the lessons we are taking home to replicate along trade corridors in West and Central Africa.”
Acting Commissioner for Customs and Excise Mrs Lonto Ndlovu said the visit demonstrates international recognition of Zimbabwe’s customs modernisation efforts.
She said ZIMRA was identified by customs administrations in West Africa as a model institution from which they could learn best practices, modern technology and integrated border management systems.
“Their visit is very significant for us. It is an acknowledgement of the progress Zimbabwe has made and provides an opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen cooperation among African customs administrations,” she said.
ZimBorders General Manager, Mr Nqobile Ncube said the Beitbridge Border Post Modernisation Project has evolved from being a regional success story into a continental model.
He said while the project has previously attracted benchmarking visits from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), hosting delegations from West Africa marks another milestone.
“Having colleagues travel from as far as West Africa, including Nigeria, Cameroon and the Republic of Benin, together with Afreximbank, is a strong affirmation that this project’s influence extends beyond the region. It has become a continental success story,” he said.
Ncube sai the visit demonstrates how the Beitbridge model can inspire similar border infrastructure projects across Africa while strengthening regional integration and trade under the AfCFTA.
The visit is expected to strengthen cooperation among African customs administrations and support efforts to replicate modern border management systems in key trade corridors across the continent.