As part of its strategy to enhance harmonisation across southern Africa’s corridors, reviving the Cross-Border Regulators Forum will be a key priority in 2025 for the Cross-Border Road Transport Agenc y (C -BRTA).According to Lwazi Mboyi, C-BRTA CEO, plans are already under way, with a meeting scheduled for February next year. Officials from several countries are expected to participate in efforts to reinstate the forum and strengthen regional collaboration.“It is extremely important that this forum is reinstated,” he told Freight News. “A great deal of what happens on corridors requires ratification by member countries, and forums like this allow us to take proactive steps. They enable us to make tangible improvements at ground level without having to wait for legislation to catch up.”He emphasised the importance of strengthening corridor institutions, noting a shared understanding between governments and the private sector on the need for improvement. “Part of the ongoing discussions focus on establishing dedicated management institutions for corridors,” he said. “Corridors with centralised and specialised management structures are consistently more efficient than those managed by multiple players with varying approaches.“The Maputo corridor, for example, is a key focus, with efforts under way to create a dedicated management institution. Additionally, improving safety along the corridors is a critical priority. We are collaborating with law enforcement agencies to enhance the security of freight movement, ensuring safe and efficient operations across the reg ion.”He said ongoing investment in infrastructure along corridors was another focus area. From a South African perspective, significant improvements have been made, with Sanral building a bypass to ease congestion at Beitbridge. Tender processes are also being finalised for the six one-stop border posts being planned. However, Mboyi called for faster progress, saying growing competition from corridors across southern Africa could divert freight away from South African ports. LV
