One-stop border post for Malawi, Mozambique

Malawi and Mozambique are to strengthen their collaboration on the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project, reports the Club of Mozambique. To this end, Mozambique’s high commissioners in Malawi, Alexandre Manjate and his Malawian counterpart in Mozambique, Wezi Moyo, reached an agreement on Tuesday for the implementation of one-stop border posts between the two countries. The Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project consultant for Mozambique, Domingos Diogo, said the visit was important to ensure that Mozambique and Malawi align their efforts on the project so that trade activities are consistent and relevant for both countries. As part of the six-year project that began in 2021, Malawi will rehabilitate the 47km Liwonde-Matawale road to link the Chiponde border crossing in Mangochi that connects to Niassa province. It also plans to rehabilitate the Blantyre-Zomba road, acquire drones that the Malawi Revenue Authority will use to monitor contraband, and build inland inspection centres in Lilongwe and Blantyre to speed up the clearance of goods. The World Bank is financing the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project, with $150m in Malawi and $230m in Mozambique, with the aim of increasing regional trade co-ordination, developing regional value chains and improving access to infrastructure.

Full report on the Club of Mozambique site