Revenue improves after Beitbridge upgrade

Government revenue at the Beitbridge Border Post has surged significantly following the completion of its modernisation, showcasing a successful example of how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can drive infrastructure-led growth in Zimbabwe and beyond.

This positive development was highlighted by Mr. Glynn Cohen, Chairperson of ZimBorders, during the recently concluded European Union-Zimbabwe Business Forum held in Harare. The event drew praise for the Beitbridge upgrade as a pioneering project and a benchmark for future PPP-driven infrastructure across Africa.

The modernisation of Beitbridge Border Post was undertaken through a PPP between the Zimbabwean Government and ZimBorders  -  a special purpose vehicle created by a consortium of local and international investors tasked with financing, developing, and operating infrastructure projects in the country.

According to Mr. Cohen, the upgraded border post has significantly improved operational efficiency, increased formal trade, curbed smuggling, and enhanced transparency. While specific revenue figures were not immediately available, he noted that government revenue collections have tripled since project completion.

"The Beitbridge Border Post project is now a model PPP for Africa  -  scalable, reputable, and impactful," said Cohen.

"Its success has paved the way for similar border and logistics infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe and the wider region, with several already planned.

"The government now receives royalties on every crossing at the border, and modern facilities have drastically reduced smuggling, transit fraud, and corruption by improving transparency and operational control, helping formalise trade activities that were previously informal."

Cohen praised PPPs as powerful engines for accelerated development in Zimbabwe, commending the government's commitment to infrastructure-led growth and a policy shift towards openness, collaboration, and modernisation.

"The Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project perfectly marries public interest with private sector innovation," he added.

He also reflected on the project's challenges, noting that despite the complex local dynamics and global disruptions caused by COVID-19, the partnership delivered on timelines with strategic agility and close coordination.

"This project has been globally recognised with multiple awards for its innovation, structure, and impact," Cohen concluded.

At the forum, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, highlighted the government's broad reforms to improve the ease of doing business and attract investment.

"Our presence here reflects Zimbabwe's unwavering commitment to engaging with the European Union in trade and economic cooperation," said Ambassador Chimbindi.

"This commitment is enshrined in our Constitution and embodied in institutions such as the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), which simplifies investment procedures."

The three-day EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum brought together over 300 delegates, including business leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe and the EU. The event, themed "Unlocking Trade and Investment under the Global Gateway Initiative," was organised by the EU delegation in partnership with ZIDA, ZimTrade, and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.

The Beitbridge Border Post's success stands as a beacon for Zimbabwe's infrastructural ambitions and a blueprint for how effective PPPs can transform vital economic gateways across Africa.