Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Namibia’s Ministry of Finance and the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) have not responded to questions about delays in establishing the Katima Mulilo One Stop Border Post (OSBP), a key trade project with Zambia.
This follows renewed commitments by both governments this week to fast-track the project and complete it within 18 months.
A Joint Steering Committee meeting in Livingstone, Zambia, brought together technical teams from both countries to adopt a new implementation roadmap. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute, who led the Namibian delegation, acknowledged the project’s delays and called for increased effort.
“Zambia brings valuable experience to this project, having successfully implemented the One Stop Border Post at the Kazungula Bridge. Namibia remains optimistic that, with our joint commitment, the Katima Mulilo OSBP will be implemented efficiently and effectively,” Shivute said.
Lillian Bwalya, Zambia’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, urged the meeting to produce a clear plan to avoid further delays.
The border post aims to ease congestion and improve the clearance of goods along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor. But delays in demarcation, demining, infrastructure development, and funding have held back progress.
Zambezi Governor Lawrence Sampofu has repeatedly raised concerns about the slow pace. In his 2023 state of the region address, he called for the border to be revamped into a one-stop facility and to operate 24 hours a day.
He said the Katima border post, with over 225,000 entries and 214,000 exits in the 2022/23 period, is one of Namibia’s top revenue collectors and vital for regional trade. He also noted that cross-border trade increased after the pandemic, placing more pressure on the corridor.
Despite these concerns, there has been little visible progress. Years of planning have produced few updates on timelines, funding, or technical readiness from Namibian authorities.
Questions sent to NamRA and the Ministry of Finance about Namibia’s financial contribution and project readiness went unanswered. The Ministry of Works and Transport also did not respond to requests for comment.
If completed, the OSBP would reduce delays, improve customs clearance, and boost regional integration.
