Tanzania and Zambia's new $6 million border post to boost trade
In a bid to develop trade between member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), Tanzania and Zambia have launched their new one-stop border post - Tunduma-Nakonde.
October 09, 2019: In a bid to develop trade between member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), Tanzania and Zambia have launched their new one-stop border post - Tunduma-Nakonde. The launch hosted by Tanzanian president John Magufuli and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu saw the opening of the $6 million border post, which will reduce waiting time from four days to just one.
The construction of the state-of-the-art border post at Tunduma in Tanzania and Nakonde in Zambia was financed by TradeMark East Africa, an organisation that aims to improve trade competitiveness in East Africa by reducing transport time and costs, and improving the trade environment.
Proud to be at the opening of the new Tunduma One Stop Border Post, supported by @UKinTanzania @DFID_UK. Making it easier to get through borders will boost trade, create jobs and boost growth in #Tanzania and #Zambia. Well done @TradeMarkEastA and @JohnUlanga pic.twitter.com/UHnwAjfNXD
Trade volume between Tanzania and Zambia surged from $89 million in 2010 to $265 billion last year.
Magufuli said he hoped for more growth, with 965 large- and medium-scale enterprises from Tanzania investing in Zambia, while eight Zambian companies have created 312 jobs, investing more than $10 million in Tanzania.
However, the situation is a little different for the once-thriving Tazara (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority), with little to no effort in the maintenance of the line damaging prospects for another mode of transporting cargo between the two nations.
"Tazama (Tanzania Zambia Oil Pipeline) oil pipeline is performing well but there are some issues with Tazara which need to be addressed to make the railway line operate profitably," Maguful said, as reported by FTW Online.
"There is a need for Tanzania and Zambia to continue the cooperation for the betterment of the people in the two countries. Tazara and Tazama are examples of perfect partnerships between our two countries," he added.