SADC Launches Namibia Coordinated Border Management Strategy and Time Release Study Report to Enhance Regional Trade
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with support from the European Union (EU) under the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), has launched the Namibia Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Strategy and Time Release Study (TRS) Report for the Trans Kalahari Border Post. The event, held on March 12 and 13, 2025, aims to enhance trade efficiency and ease bottlenecks in goods movement across the region.
The CBM Strategy and TRS were developed to address issues such as cumbersome procedures, uncoordinated operations among border agencies, and inadequate infrastructure. This initiative seeks to reduce goods clearance time and business costs at ports and border posts, ultimately boosting intra and extra-regional trade among SADC Member States and globally.
The strategy includes the establishment of competent structures to oversee CBM implementation, promote cooperation among border agencies, coordinate national and regional trade facilitation measures, monitor performance, and manage public complaints. It also aims to enhance communication and awareness on border management.
The TRS, a flagship trade facilitation instrument, supports the implementation of the Regional Industrialization Strategy and the consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area under the Regional Indicative Strategy Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030. The report found that clearing imported goods at the Trans Kalahari border takes an average of 5 hours and 31 minutes, while exports take 4 hours and 34 minutes.
Mr. Sam Shivute, Commissioner of Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), emphasized the government’s commitment to the SADC agenda and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which Namibia ratified in 2018. He stressed the need for robust information sharing and infrastructure upgrades to enhance trade efficiency.
Mr. Alcides Monteiro, Senior Programme Officer for Customs and Task Manager of the EU-SADC TFP, highlighted the TRS as a tool to streamline the movement of goods and attract foreign investment. He called for enhanced cross-border coordination, infrastructure upgrades, and technological advancements in control processes.
The CBM concept, approved by SADC’s Committee of Ministers of Trade in 2012, is a key catalyst for regional integration and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and WTO trade facilitation measures.
