Zambia has made significant strides in improving trade facilitation by reducing border clearance times for goods and travelers by 60%.
This achievement was highlighted in the third Time Release Survey conducted at the Chirundu and Kazungula One-Stop Border Posts (OSBP).
The survey, led by Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), revealed that average clearance times have dropped from over 48 hours in 2022 to under 14 hours in 2024—marking a remarkable improvement in expediting trade processes.
The findings were officially presented at the Survey Report launch in Lusaka, where ZRA Commissioner-General Dingani Banda praised the results as an important step toward Zambia’s broader economic growth objectives.
However, Banda emphasized that further improvements depend on continued implementation of the survey’s recommendations.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders, and other relevant parties to overcome remaining challenges and further reduce clearance times.
In recent years, Zambia has prioritized modernizing customs procedures to improve trade facilitation, enhance revenue collection, and foster economic development.
Banda highlighted the role of the Time Release Survey in assessing customs efficiency and identifying areas for improvement.
Key reforms such as Coordinated Border Management (CBM) have streamlined operations at Chirundu and Kazungula, allowing relevant agencies to collaborate more effectively, reduce redundancies, and improve overall efficiency.
Another significant reform is the mandatory pre-clearance process, which requires the electronic submission of cargo declaration data.
This has allowed customs officials to process shipments before they even reach the border, resulting in significant reductions in wait times.
Lillian Bwalya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, emphasized the value of time measurement studies like the Time Release Survey in improving border procedures.
Zambia has conducted similar research since 2019, completing nine surveys to date, each providing valuable insights into how clearance processes can be optimized.
These studies not only offer quantifiable measures of progress but also help identify specific changes that accelerate processing times.
Despite these advancements, Bwalya acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly around specific operational hurdles that need to be addressed to further enhance efficiency.
The joint efforts of ZRA, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and international partners such as JICA underscore Zambia’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and international trade.
The improvements at Chirundu and Kazungula, key points along regional trade routes, are expected to boost Zambia’s competitiveness as a trade hub in Southern Africa.
Faster border processing not only benefits local businesses but also enhances Zambia’s attractiveness as a transit point for neighboring countries, helping to support regional trade, increase revenue, and bolster the economy.
While progress has been made, both Banda and Bwalya recognize that more work is required. With increased resources, expanded staffing, and enhanced system integration, Zambia has the potential to further reduce border wait times and strengthen its position as a regional trade facilitator.
The Time Release Survey continues to be a critical tool in this ongoing effort, and the government’s commitment to acting on its findings will be key to Zambia’s future success in trade and economic development.
