Zimbabwe to Mobilize $1B to Upgrade Four Key Border Posts
As part of Phase Two of the National Development Strategy (NDS2) for the five years from January 2026 to December 2030, the Government of Zimbabwe unveiled plans to upgrade the four key border posts of Forbes, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Kanyemba in a bid to position Zimbabwe as a competitive regional transit hub.
The total cost of the modernization is estimated to be USD 900 million. All of them will be operated as One Stop Border Posts (#OSBP) and leverage #digitalization to streamline processing. Some of them are already experiencing congestion despite operating 24/7.
Forbes Border Post – Gateway to Beira
The Forbes Border Post is located near the border town of Mutare on the Zimbabwean side, and the border town of Machipanda on the Mozambican side. It is the main gateway from the Zimbabwean capital Harare to the seaport of Beira in Mozambique. It extends further inland to Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe plans to allocate USD 232 million to upgrade the Forbes Border Post. Works will start by the end of 2026 and are expected to end in 2028.
Nyamapanda Border Post – Gateway to Mozambique
The Nyamapanda border post is an alternative gateway into Mozambique. It also links Harare to the seaport of Beira.
The Zimbabwean Government is contemplating a Public-Private Partnership (#PPP). The modernization of the Border Post is part of the rehabilitation of the Harare – Nyamapanda Highway at a combined cost of USD 262 million. Works are expected to be completed by 2029.
Chirundu Border Post – Gateway to Zambia
Chirundu is on the Zimbabwe – Zambia border. It is also strategically situated on the North-South Corridor starting from South Africa moving all the way north to the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.
The Zimbabwean Government envisages a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to undertake the project. The cost of the project is estimated at USD 68.8 million.
Kanyemba Border Post – Gateway to Zambezi Valley
The Kanyemba Border Post will be upgraded as part of the rehabilitation of the Harare – Kanyemba Highway. The cost of the project is estimated at USD 384 million and will take three years. The project will also employ a PPP.
Building on Beitbridge’s Success
In 2023, Zimbabwe completed the upgrade of the Beitbridge Border Post that crosses into South Africa. Basically, the Government of Zimbabwe wishes to replicate the success of Beitbridge to other border posts.
The document highlights that these projects will foster regional integration as part of the larger vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The modernized border posts will alleviate cross-border bottlenecks, ease the movement of people, and boost trade.