By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe’s vision of a modern, efficient, and economically vibrant border is steadily becoming a reality, following the official opening of the Baobab Duty Free Shop and Restaurant at Beitbridge Border Post on Saturday.
The new facility, commissioned by Albert Nguluvhe, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Province and Devolution, represents a key milestone in transforming the country’s busiest border into a fully integrated trade and commercial hub.
Developed after years of planning, the Baobab Duty Free complex signals a shift from traditional border operations to a more dynamic model where infrastructure actively drives economic activity.
Speaking during the commissioning, Baobab Duty Free director Max Rivetti said the project is part of a long-term vision to unlock the full potential of the border.
“To date, we have invested over $1.5 million into activating this space not just as a once-off project, but as a long-term commitment to this precinct, this province, and Zimbabwe as a whole,” said Rivetti.
He said expansion is expected to create between 50 and 70 local jobs, emphasizing that the figures represent more than employment statistics.
“They represent livelihoods, skills development, and real economic participation exactly the kind of impact that infrastructure like this is meant to unlock,” he said.
Rivetti said the once-unused building has now been transformed into a vibrant commercial hub.
“We saw what it could become: a place where movement becomes trade, where infrastructure translates into economic activity, and where travellers are not just processed but engaged,” he said.
The new facility combines retail and hospitality services, offering travellers a more comprehensive experience at one of Africa’s busiest border posts.
Nguluvhe said the development reflects the government’s broader strategy to modernise key entry points and position Zimbabwe as a regional trade and logistics hub.
“Infrastructure of this calibre is not merely physical, it is strategic,” he said.
“It positions Zimbabwe as a regional trade hub, strengthens investor confidence, and supports inclusive and sustainable economic development,” he said.
He said efficient border operations, combined with modern commercial services, help reduce transit times, lower the cost of doing business, and increase trade volumes ultimately boosting national productivity and Gross Domestic Product.
Nguluvhe also called on the investors to integrate local supply chains by sourcing goods such as fresh produce from surrounding communities, ensuring that the benefits of the development extend to ordinary citizens.
The transformation of the facility aligns with the government’s push to create borders that do more than facilitate movement.
“This is the future we are building,” he said.
“A place where movement drives trade, where infrastructure delivers real economic value, and where travellers are welcomed, engaged, and served,” he said
Echoing the vision, Thusani Ndou, Member of Parliament for Beitbridge West, welcomed the investment as a sign of growing confidence in the area.
He said the project reflects the success of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda in attracting investment and creating opportunities for local communities.
“We are seeing real progress on the ground. Developments like these bring jobs, stimulate local business, and open doors for further investment in Beitbridge,” Ndou said.
As activity at the border continues to expand, the integration of retail and hospitality services is expected to enhance the traveller experience while stimulating value chains across sectors such as logistics, tourism, and manufacturing.
The opening of the Baobab Duty Free Shop and Restaurant stands as a clear indicator that Beitbridge is evolving beyond a transit point into a modern economic gateway where infrastructure and commerce work together to drive national growth.