The government has announced that the Katima Mulilo (Wenela) border weighbridge will operate 24 hours a day starting April 1, 2025, in a move aimed at expediting border clearance and reducing delays for truck drivers and businesses.
The decision, which aligns weighbridge operations with the existing 24-hour border functions, was confirmed by Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Emma Theofelus, during a Cabinet decisions briefing.
The initiative is expected to minimise congestion and enhance the speed of customs clearance.
“Cabinet approved the proposed short to long-term interventions to address the congestion of trucks at the Katima Mulilo Border Post as highlighted below: Short-Term Interventions: Documentary Pre-Clearance to ensure that necessary documentation is processed before trucks arrive at the border; 24-hour operation of the Weighbridge to coincide with the 24-hour operations of the Katima Mulilo (Wenela) border post as from 01 April 2025,” she said.
She further explained that the Cabinet has also decided on the formation of the Association of Truck Drivers for Namibia, which will act as a platform for public-private sector dialogue.
The forum will enable truck drivers, border agencies and customs officials to discuss and address issues impacting the effective clearance of goods, ensuring timely resolutions.
“Introduction of Clearing Agent Rules gazetted under the Customs and Excise Act, 1998 (Act No. 20 of 1998); establishment of an Association of Truck Drivers for Namibia to serve as a forum for public-private sector dialogue between various border agencies and truck drivers to ensure that issues affecting effective clearance of goods are discussed and addressed timeously,” she said.
In the longer term, the government has approved strategic plans to further improve border management.
A Joint Time Release Study will be conducted to identify and address the specific bottlenecks causing truck congestion at the border.
Plans are also underway to implement a One-Stop Border Post between Namibia and Zambia, which will streamline customs procedures and facilitate faster cross-border transactions.
Further initiatives include the development of a truck port facility and the relocation of the Katima Mulilo weighbridge to avoid congestion in town areas and ensure efficient weight checks closer to the border.
