Zimbabwe has secured a funding agreement to upgrade the Chirundu border post with Zambia, paving the way for construction aimed at reducing freight delays along one of southern Africa’s key trade routes.
The agreement between the Zimbabwean government and the Chirundu Border Consortium clears the way for work on the modernisation project, according to the country’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Ministry.
Key trade gateway
Chirundu is an important crossing on the North-South Corridor, linking the Zambia-DRC Copperbelt with ports in South Africa and Mozambique. The border handles large volumes of commodities and industrial supplies, including copper, cobalt, fuel, mining equipment, fertilisers and other goods.
However, congestion and lengthy truck delays have affected the efficiency of the route, increasing costs and slowing regional trade.
$66.8 million project
Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has previously estimated the public-private partnership project at $66.8 million, with private investors expected to operate the upgraded facility under a 20-year concession. The latest funding agreement clears the way for implementation, although the ministry did not disclose the final investment value.
The project is expected to replace ageing infrastructure and introduce more advanced border-processing and operational systems to improve the movement of cargo.
Regional trade boost
Safaga International, which led the $300 million upgrade of Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge border with South Africa, is leading the Chirundu project. South Africa’s Strategic Partners Group is also involved as a strategic investor, while Standard Bank is serving as lead debt arranger and senior lender.
The upgrade is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s role as a regional transit hub while improving the movement of critical minerals and other commodities between the Copperbelt and southern African ports.
The Chirundu border became Africa’s first one-stop border post when it was inaugurated in 2009. Its modernisation is now being positioned as an important infrastructure investment for improving regional logistics and trade efficiency.
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