Nakonde border to be upgraded into a into a one stop border post

The Government of Zambia have worked with Trade Mark Africa and have officially handed over to the contractor to upgrade the Nakonde border into a one stop border post on 18th June 2024.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by representatives from the Governments of Zambia and the UK, TradeMark Africa, and the contractor. Funded by the UK government, the approximately £8.4 million project will improve the flow of goods and people along the Dar es Salaam Corridor, streamline operations, enhance customs efficiency, and reduce cargo clearance on both sides of the border. The site handover follows the signing of a Partner Support Agreement (PSA) between the Government of Zambia and TradeMark Africa in March this year.

The border post will undergo numerous improvements, including upgrading roads within the OSBP and truck parking yard, constructing additional office buildings and warehouses, and installing a modern x-ray cargo scanner. The project also includes digitising clearance processes and installing smart gates to reduce truck dwell times from 64 hours to less than 10 hours (an 84% reduction). The two and a half days it currently takes to clear cargo trucks leads to significant delays and losses for businesses

The improved trade process that this upgrade will bring, reducing delays and boosting trade operations, will provide potential and existing investors into the country with a great reassurance in the direction that the country is heading in.