Victoria Falls, Chirundu borders to operate 24 hours

The Victoria Falls and Chirundu border posts are set to begin 24-hour operations starting this December, in a landmark joint initiative between Zimbabwe and Zambia designed to enhance trade efficiency, tourism, and regional integration.

The transition will align the two ports of entry with Beitbridge and Forbes, which already operate round the clock, marking another milestone in Zimbabwe's border modernisation programme.

Chief Director in the Department of Immigration, Ms Respect Gono, confirmed the development in an exclusive interview, saying the move reflects both countries' commitment to creating a seamless trade and travel corridor across southern Africa.

"We expect Victoria Falls Border Post and Chirundu Border Post to run 24 hours by December this year. What has happened is that we are trying to synchronise all border stations to operate 24 hours," said Ms Gono.
"You may appreciate that the movement of people and business has increased. As a result, we are trying by all means to ensure the smooth movement of people and business across the region.

"This is going to assist us in economic growth, the smooth movement of our people in business, and we will see a lot of activity in the region."

Ms Gono noted that the initiative builds upon the strong bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia - ties that date back to the liberation struggle - and demonstrates a shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation.

The shift to 24-hour operations is expected to eliminate long-standing logistical bottlenecks caused by fixed operating hours, effectively removing a non-tariff barrier to trade and allowing for faster, more efficient cross-border movement of goods and people.

Officials say the development will not only enhance regional trade flows but also support the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving connectivity and competitiveness within southern Africa.

The 24-hour border model is part of the Government's broader border modernisation strategy, which includes infrastructure upgrades, digitisation of customs and immigration systems, and improved coordination among border agencies.

Economic observers say the change will be particularly beneficial for tourism in Victoria Falls - one of Africa's leading destinations - and for cross-border trucking and logistics along the Chirundu corridor, one of the busiest regional trade routes.