Mwanza one-stop border completion excites traders

Expectations are high among cross-border traders of improved efficiency following the completion of construction of Mwanza One-Stop Border Post.

In an interview on Friday, Zione Phiri, who plies her trade between South Africa and Malawi, said she is hoping for improved services once the border post is operational.

She said even before the opening of the border post, things have already changed.

Said Phiri: “With the coming of one-stop border post, we hope things will keep changing for the better.

“The new complex building has enough space which is ideal for cross-border business.”

Another cross-border trader from Mangochi, Asset Mtukanika, who imports electronic equipment from South Africa, said the previous set up was causing delays at the border in terms of clearing of both goods and people.

“We are eagerly waiting for the new initiative to be operational,” he said.

Malawi Revenue Authority head of corporate affairs Steven Kapoloma said one of the major challenges that necessitated the one-stop border post initiative is the duplication of activities in the clearance of imports and exports.

He said previously importers had to stop on the Mozambique side and complete all customs and immigration processes before coming to Mwanza to repeat the same processes.