Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with support from the European Union (EU) under the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), has launched a groundbreaking Time Release Study (TRS) along the North-South Corridor (NSC). Unveiled on February 7, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe, this initiative is set to transform regional trade by tackling border bottlenecks, inefficient procedures, and inadequate infrastructure that have long hindered economic integration. By streamlining operations at ports and border posts, the TRS aims to reduce trade costs and accelerate the movement of goods among SADC member states, fostering stronger intra-regional commerce.
Commissioned by the SADC Secretariat, the TRS serves as a global benchmark for assessing the time taken for goods clearance and transit within the region. As the first in-depth study of its kind along the NSC, the report provides critical insights into customs, transport, and logistics efficiency. The corridor, stretching from Durban in South Africa to Kasumbalesa in Zambia via Beitbridge and Chirundu One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), is a vital artery for regional trade. The study’s findings shed light on existing inefficiencies, with the average clearance and transit time for northbound cargo recorded at 15 days, 21 hours, and 5 minutes. Key obstacles were identified at Beitbridge and Chirundu, highlighting the need for coordinated border management and infrastructure upgrades to enhance efficiency.
A major component of the TRS is its alignment with the SADC Regional Industrialization Strategy and the Regional Indicative Strategy Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030. These frameworks aim to consolidate the SADC Free Trade Area, fostering an integrated and competitive market. Mr. Batsirai Chadzingwa, Zimbabwe’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise, praised the improvements made by SADC Member States in making trade easier. He highlighted that important trade routes, like the NSC, the Maputo Corridor, and the Dar-es-Salaam Corridor, play a crucial role in connecting shipping ports to industrial areas. However, he stressed the importance of implementing a regional electronic cargo tracking system (ECTS) to enhance security, minimize revenue leakages, and expedite trade.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Alcides Monteiro, senior program officer for customs at the SADC Secretariat, underscored the necessity of implementing robust trade facilitation measures. He highlighted the TRS as a strategic tool for enhancing competitiveness and increasing intra-regional trade, which currently stands at 23%. While this figure reflects progress, Monteiro emphasized that with improved infrastructure and harmonized procedures, there is significant potential for growth. He suggested creating a special agency to manage corridors. This agency would focus on planned actions, encourage new technologies, and support cooperation between different groups involved across borders.
The successful implementation of the TRS recommendations promises to boost trade efficiency, attract foreign investment, and position SADC economies for sustainable growth. With customs and trade experts collaborating with port and border agencies from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this initiative signals a pivotal shift towards a more integrated and competitive regional trade environment. By addressing critical challenges and embracing innovation, SADC is paving the way for a streamlined, cost-effective, and resilient trade corridor that will drive economic prosperity across Southern Africa.
