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The Zambia-Namibia Joint Technical Committee (JTC) has called for the development of a concrete and realistic implementation plan for the Katima Mulilo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), outlining specific activities, assigning clear responsibilities, and setting defined timelines.
The Committee emphasized the importance of establishing a robust governance structure to serve as a blueprint for coordinated and efficient border operations—supporting trade facilitation, regional security, and cross-border cooperation.
According to a statement issued in Livingstone by Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry spokesperson, Everness Nankala, the call was made during a recent meeting focused on operationalizing the Katima Mulilo OSBP.
Nankala noted that the meeting, which commenced on Tuesday in Livingstone, Zambia, marked a significant milestone in the growing collaboration between Zambia and Namibia to enhance cross-border trade and regional integration.
“In January 2025, a Zambian delegation, led by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, successfully concluded the inaugural Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Sesheke, Zambia,” she said.
Nankala explained that discussions in Livingstone centered on developing draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) to guide the implementation of the OSBP, in line with the Bilateral Agreement signed on June 21, 2024, in Katima Mulilo, Namibia.
She added that the meeting laid a strong foundation by proposing governance structures and formulating an implementation roadmap to support the operationalization of the OSBP.
“The One-Stop Border Post is expected to act as a catalyst for trade, economic growth, and deeper regional integration—directly impacting cross-border mobility, business competitiveness, and livelihoods,” Nankala said.
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JTC Chairperson, Derrick Sikombe, from Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and Willbroad Poniso, Head of Customs and Excise at the Namibia Revenue Agency, both emphasized the need to prioritize consensus, practicality, and momentum in the ongoing deliberations.
“The outcomes of this meeting will be crucial to ensuring that the OSBP’s foundational frameworks are robust, sustainable, and aligned with regional best practices,” Sikombe stated.
He said: “The time for implementation is now, and the technical rigor we apply will determine how swiftly and effectively this vision becomes reality.”
Sikombe underscored that the Katima Mulilo OSBP was more than just physical infrastructure, describing it as a strategic enabler for enhanced trade, economic growth, and regional integration.
Meanwhile, Poniso described the establishment of the OSBP as a strategic imperative aimed at decongesting the border, reducing clearance times, and improving trade efficiency between the two nations.
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