Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia Agree to Improve Transport Links

Everisto Zhuwao

Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia have agreed to work more closely together to make it easier and faster for goods and people to move across their borders.

Senior transport officials from the three countries met in Harare for three days to discuss challenges affecting trade routes, including delays at border posts, differing transport regulations, and gaps in infrastructure.

At the end of the meeting, the countries signed an agreement committing themselves to improving coordination among their transport systems. The goal is to facilitate smoother trade and boost economic growth across the region.

The agreement also supports broader regional objectives under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which aim to make it easier for African countries to trade with one another.

The discussions built on earlier cooperation platforms such as the Zimbabwe Zambia Bi National Commission, which focuses on strengthening economic ties between neighbouring countries.

The trilateral meetings are held on a rotating basis. Zambia hosted the last session in 2018, Zimbabwe hosted this year’s meeting, and the next one will be held in South Africa.

Officials say improving transport corridors will help reduce delays, cut costs for businesses, and support regional trade and development.