Mwami border post is located approximately 24 kilometers from the City of Chipata in Eastern province of Zambia on the border with Malawi. The border, which was declared as a 24 hours operating port of entry in 1974 is a key regional transit route located along the Nacala Corridor that runs for 1700km through the Eastern and Southern African region in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mwami border post is scheduled to be launched as a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in 2022. New border office building has been completed near the present offices. The new OSBP has separated commercial and passenger terminals, access roads, parking area, inspection bay, providing for an area for the cargo scanner placement, washrooms and sanitary areas for truckers and other border users.
Revenue/traffic flow
The border, which operates as a traditional two stop facility with commercial traffic moving from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours while private vehicles and persons crossing 24 hours records few imports and most trucks are exporting commodities such as maize, clinker and cement. The border has a steady volume of approximately 30 trucks per day with vehicles and water proof footwear being the top imports cleared at the port of entry. In terms of transits, raw cane sugar and tobacco top the transit list.
In terms of revenue, the port generated about K84,411,531.36 in 2021, contributing 0.48% of revenue to the national treasury. With the port planned for upgrade to a OSBP, trade flow is expected to increase.
Project intervention at the border
Key interventions under this project covers implementation of Coordinated Border Management Principles including review of legislative and administrative framework, procedures for cooperation, human resources and Information Communication and Technology, and connectivity. Further support covers the establishment of an inter-agency Coordinated Border Management (CBM) working group, finalization of a CBM work plan, upgrading of trade facilitation infrastructure and equipment at the border post.
Other activities include the finalization of priority infrastructure to be upgraded, capacity building for stakeholders on OSBP operations, WTO TFA measures and COMESA Trade Facilitation instruments and training needs assessment among others.