Border posts that function efficiently and focus on facilitating trade and expediting cargo movement are crucial for southern Africa to ramp up freight volumes on its corridors.According to Tiago Pocinho, country manager for South Africa and Zambia at Rangel Logistics Solutions, numerous border posts have undergone regional development efforts to boost efficiency and streamline cross-border movements. “The Beitbridge border post, linking South Africa and Zimbabwe, has been a focal point for potential upgrades and modernisation to alleviate congestion and streamline operations,” he said. “Another significant development is the completion of the Kazungula Bridge, connecting Botswana and Zambia. The aim is to improve overall connectivity, reduce delays and enhance trade f lows.“Furthermore, significant efforts have been directed towards enhancing infrastructure and customs procedures at the Chirundu Border Post between Zimbabwe and Zambia to facilitate cross-border trade. “Similarly, linking South Africa and Mozambique, the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia corridor has undergone various developments to upgrade transportation infrastructure and improve logistics ef f icienc y.”Pocinho said measures to upgrade technology and streamline customs processes were continuing and were expected to positively impact various border posts, contributing to more efficient cross-border trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Border crossings have posed some of the biggest challenges to freight movement. The Beitbridge border has encountered significant challenges primarily due to the overwhelming volume of daily traffic it handles, compounded by its status as the busiest border post in the region. Serving as a pivotal transit point for vehicles bound for Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and neighbouring countries, Beitbridge grapples with a constant inf lux of traffic. The substantial f low of abnormal cargo passing through Zimbabwe adds to the complexity, with Beitbridge acting as a crucial gateway for oversized or specialised shipments. Furthermore, the border crossing is critical to facilitating trade routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via Zimbabwe, adding layers of intricacy to logistical operations and exacerbating existing challenges.“The sheer magnitude of activity at Beitbridge underscores the need for ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, streamline customs procedures and implement efficient logistical solutions. Addressing these challenges is essential to improving the f low of goods and fostering regional trade and economic development,” said Pocinho.He said South Africa was on a positive trajectory despite its challenges, and Rangel continued to expand its footprint in the region. “Since 2020, we have been intensifying our investments. We are expanding our f leet, constructing new infrastructure, establishing warehouses and clearance offices, and strategically positioning ourselves at key gateways across the region.” With operations spanning South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, Rangel has recently expanded its presence by establishing offices with local teams in the DRC, Namibia and Botswana.
