Martin’s Drift Border Post Boosts Regional Trade Efficiency
The Martin’s Drift border post, linking Botswana and South Africa, has emerged as a key driver of regional trade efficiency following a study visit by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.
The assessment forms part of SADC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing border operations, first outlined during the 13th Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration in July 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Led by Senior Programme Officer Alcides Monteiro, the SADC team conducted a detailed review of Martin’s Drift from 21 to 23 October 2025. The study focused on operating hours, implementation of Coordinated Border Management (CBM), efficiency of transit procedures, goods clearance times, and ICT connectivity at the border.
The border post operates from 06:00 to 22:00, with extended hours during peak periods and potential 24/7 operations when traffic volumes increase. Currently, 400 to 450 trucks are cleared daily, with capacity for further growth if infrastructure upgrades are implemented.
Due to its strategic location on the Limpopo River, the border post requires improvements to enhance resilience against natural disasters such as floods. Expansion of the bridge and other facilities is recommended to facilitate smoother movement of goods and vehicles, particularly following the opening of the Kazungula One Stop Border Post and bridge.
Despite these challenges, the assessment found that current infrastructure and trade facilitation measures support significant movement of goods, people, and transport, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
The SADC Secretariat emphasised that continued monitoring and support will further strengthen Martin’s Drift as a vital hub for regional economic integration, benefiting Member States and advancing a more prosperous Southern Africa.
