By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned Phase One of the Nakonde One Stop Border Post in Nakonde District, calling for the adoption of a single digital identity system to further ease cross-border movement between Zambia and Tanzania.
The President also announced that construction of a fully fledged international airport in Nakonde’s Mwenzo area has begun, saying the facility will complement the new border infrastructure and boost trade activity in the region.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, Hichilema said both the border post and the airport were central to transforming Nakonde into a major economic hub through enhanced trade facilitation.
He described the new OSBP as a “game changer” for trade, revenue generation and regional integration, noting that the upgraded system would significantly improve the movement of goods and people along the Zambia–Tanzania frontier.
“For many years, Zambia has not fully utilised the potential of the Nakonde border post, resulting in slow clearance processes and limited earnings for clearing agents. We are one people, and we must simplify movement between our countries,” he said.
Hichilema said increased efficiency would ultimately raise government revenue, which would support social programmes including free education, teacher recruitment, provision of school desks, improved water and sanitation and the school feeding programme.
He thanked traditional leaders for providing land for the project and acknowledged support from the British High Commission in Zambia, contractors, the local community and other cooperating partners.
The President reiterated Zambia’s commitment to peaceful regional cooperation, noting that instability in one country can spill across borders. He also emphasised that the facility advances the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area through improved connectivity and streamlined trade processes.
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Hichilema expressed confidence that Phase Two of the project would proceed soon, adding that government was accelerating other strategic infrastructure, including the Zambia–Tanzania power interconnector, the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority and expansion of the petroleum pipeline.
“We do not want Nakonde to be just a transit point, but an interconnector to different markets. Zambia is not landlocked but land-linked, with Burundi considered its ninth neighbour,” he said.
He noted that the Nakonde OSBP sits at a crucial position along both the North–South and Dar es Salaam Corridors, serving as a gateway to the Port of Dar es Salaam and supporting the flow of imports and exports.
The President said the One Stop Border Post concept enabled joint border processing by Zambia and Tanzania, cutting crossing times, boosting efficiency and strengthening regional trade integration.
He added that the project—implemented with support from TradeMark Africa—includes warehouses, offices, a verification shed, customs enforcement buildings, a generator house and a concrete truck yard.
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