Katima’s booming trade, crumbling borders
Imports surge to N$45.7bn
The implementation of a one-stop border post at Katima Mulilo is expected to enhance economic trade.
Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu announced an increase in cargo volumes through the Katima Mulilo and Ngoma border posts, highlighting a rise in import value and a decrease in exports compared to the 2022/23 financial year.
Speaking during his recent State of the Region Address (SORA), he revealed that imports surged to N$45.7 billion and exports declined to N$8.58 billion, while duties and taxes collected amounted to N$151 million.
“In the 2022/23 financial year, the import value stood at N$35 billion, exports at N$11 billion and duties and taxes at N$105 million," he said.
The governor noted that the upcoming implementation of a one-stop border post (OSBP) at Katima Mulilo is expected to bolster border control and enhance economic trade, both locally and internationally. "I am pleased to announce that the bilateral agreement between Namibia and Zambia to establish the OSBP has recently been signed," he said, adding that the region’s economic viability is increasingly demonstrated by the volumes of cargo passing through the border posts via the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi development corridor.
Revamp needed
"The region, with its seven exit and entry points, recorded 326 515 arrivals and 355 657 departures, with the Katima Mulilo border post seeing the highest numbers in both categories. This underscores the urgent need to revamp infrastructure and increase human capital. The introduction of 24-hour operations has minimised congestion for both trucks and people," he said.
Namibian Lives Matter chairperson Sinvula Mudabeti described the OSBP between Zambia and Namibia as a welcome development, signalling that SADC is progressing from traditional cooperation to deeper international integration. This shift, he said, opens new avenues for trade with substantial economic benefits.
"However, the increase in cargo volume at the Ngoma and Katima Mulilo borders brings a higher demand for infrastructure development and human resources. Currently, the infrastructure managing such significant volumes does not reflect the scale of the billions handled. It is therefore imperative for the government to upgrade and modernise these border posts, prioritising state-of-the-art technological equipment," he urged.
"Additionally, there is an urgent need to implement security measures around the borders to proactively address risks associated with increased trade.”
Tribal bias
Two months ago, Namibian Sun reported on allegations of tribal bias from groups along the country’s borders. These arose after residents pointed out that President Nangolo Mbumba's May directive, allowing the importation of mahangu grains from Angola, applied only to Oshiwambo-speaking regions.
The Namibian Lives Matter group argued that Mbumba’s directive should have extended to other regions equally affected by the drought, despite not sharing a border with Angola.
The agriculture ministry subsequently clarified that the arrangement applies specifically to regions along the Namibia-Angola border due to their unique circumstances.
Mudabeti accused the government of selectively applying laws to benefit certain regions while excluding others facing similar or worse challenges. "Recent predictions indicate that the Zambezi Region is likely to suffer the worst effects of the drought due to low rainfall compared to other parts of Namibia. Yet, efforts to mitigate the effects of drought are directed at areas less likely to suffer as severely," he said at the time.
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Speaking during his recent State of the Region Address (SORA), he revealed that imports surged to N$45.7 billion and exports declined to N$8.58 billion, while duties and taxes collected amounted to N$151 million.
“In the 2022/23 financial year, the import value stood at N$35 billion, exports at N$11 billion and duties and taxes at N$105 million," he said.
The governor noted that the upcoming implementation of a one-stop border post (OSBP) at Katima Mulilo is expected to bolster border control and enhance economic trade, both locally and internationally. "I am pleased to announce that the bilateral agreement between Namibia and Zambia to establish the OSBP has recently been signed," he said, adding that the region’s economic viability is increasingly demonstrated by the volumes of cargo passing through the border posts via the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi development corridor.
Revamp needed
"The region, with its seven exit and entry points, recorded 326 515 arrivals and 355 657 departures, with the Katima Mulilo border post seeing the highest numbers in both categories. This underscores the urgent need to revamp infrastructure and increase human capital. The introduction of 24-hour operations has minimised congestion for both trucks and people," he said.
Namibian Lives Matter chairperson Sinvula Mudabeti described the OSBP between Zambia and Namibia as a welcome development, signalling that SADC is progressing from traditional cooperation to deeper international integration. This shift, he said, opens new avenues for trade with substantial economic benefits.
"However, the increase in cargo volume at the Ngoma and Katima Mulilo borders brings a higher demand for infrastructure development and human resources. Currently, the infrastructure managing such significant volumes does not reflect the scale of the billions handled. It is therefore imperative for the government to upgrade and modernise these border posts, prioritising state-of-the-art technological equipment," he urged.
"Additionally, there is an urgent need to implement security measures around the borders to proactively address risks associated with increased trade.”
Tribal bias
Two months ago, Namibian Sun reported on allegations of tribal bias from groups along the country’s borders. These arose after residents pointed out that President Nangolo Mbumba's May directive, allowing the importation of mahangu grains from Angola, applied only to Oshiwambo-speaking regions.
The Namibian Lives Matter group argued that Mbumba’s directive should have extended to other regions equally affected by the drought, despite not sharing a border with Angola.
The agriculture ministry subsequently clarified that the arrangement applies specifically to regions along the Namibia-Angola border due to their unique circumstances.
Mudabeti accused the government of selectively applying laws to benefit certain regions while excluding others facing similar or worse challenges. "Recent predictions indicate that the Zambezi Region is likely to suffer the worst effects of the drought due to low rainfall compared to other parts of Namibia. Yet, efforts to mitigate the effects of drought are directed at areas less likely to suffer as severely," he said at the time.
[email protected]
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