Chirundu One Stop Border Post: a Regional Trade Facilitation Programme

The Chirundu One Stop Border Post (OSBP) is a pilot trade facilitation project under the North South Corridor (NSC) Pilot Aid for Trade Programme initiated by the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite. The One Stop Border Post that was launched in December 2009 through a Bilateral Agreement between Zimbabwe and Zambia is the first functioning OSBP in Africa where the region can draw practical lessons for similar future initiatives. The main objective of the establishment of the Chirundu OSBP is to facilitate trade by reducing the processing time at the border and hence reduce cross-border transactions which will enhance the region's competitiveness. A juxtaposed OSBP was implemented at Chirundu where a common control zone was created for border agencies to share facilities with the aim of eliminating duplication of procedures. A community based computerized system that will make the OSBP a single window processing facility is still being set up. A number of challenges were encountered in establishing the Chirundu OSBP with the major one being the erratic and bureaucratic disbursement of funds for the project. The OSBP concept came after Zimbabwe and Zambia had commenced infrastructural construction work and this meant that modifications had to be done on the existing structures. However, the project became a reality because of the solid support and commitment at the highest level of Government in both countries. The region has already started to experience the benefits of the OSBP through the significantly reduced processing times at the border. Periodic monitoring and evaluations that are conducted to establish the efficiency of the Chirundu OSBP reveal that the OSBP has managed to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in border operations. The establishment of the Chirundu OSBP is a great attainment in the region where the COMESA-EAC-SADC region should draw lessons to allow faster implementation of similar projects along the North South Corridor.