Namibia and Zambia on Friday signed a bilateral agreement in Katima Mulilo to establish a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the Katima Mulilo Border Post.
Namibia was represented by the Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu, while Zambia’s signatory was the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga.
Sampofu highlighted the importance of the agreement, which has been in development since April 2019.
He said the agreement, will not only facilitate smoother and more efficient cross-border trade but also bolster security and economic cooperation in the region.
Mulenga said the signing of the agreement between the two countries will cement relations for years to come and position the two neighboring countries as leaders in intra-Africa trade on the continent.
The Katima Mulilo Border Post OSBP will be the second for Namibia, with the construction of the OSBP at the Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno Border Post at an advanced stage and operationalization expected to commence soon thereafter.
The OSBP initiative is designed to consolidate border control operations from both countries at a single location, reducing transit times and improving the efficiency of customs procedures.
The move is expected to facilitate trade, enhance economic growth, and strengthen security measures.