Zambezi: The establishment of the Katima Mulilo One Stop Border Post (OSBP) project between Namibia and Zambia is progressing well, as noted by Zambezi Region Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi during her State of the Region Address on Monday. The initiative has led to a significant increase in the volume of cargo passing through the Katima Mulilo and Ngoma border posts via the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the current statistics reveal a remarkable growth in trade, with import values reaching a record N.dollars 71 billion and export values standing at N.dollars 20 billion during the 2025/26 fiscal year. This marks an increase from the previous year's N.dollars 52 billion in imports and N.dollars 13 billion in exports. Governor Kabula-Simushi highlighted that this surge in trade and revenue has prompted the government to expedite the implementation of OSBP initiatives, such as establishing 24-hour weighbridge operations and adhering to minimum load standards.
In the 2025/26 period, a total of 30,683 heavy goods vehicles were weighed and screened at the Katima Mulilo Weighbridge. Of these, 8,680 were overloaded within the 5 percent requirement, while 126 trucks exceeded this limit, resulting in a total of 8,806 overloaded trucks. These 126 trucks were fined, contributing N.dollars 406,000 in duty payments.
Additionally, the reporting period saw 424 summons issued for general traffic offenses, cross-border permits, and cargo dimensions, amounting to N.dollars 667,150 in penalties. However, Governor Kabula-Simushi noted operational challenges at the Katima Mulilo Weighbridge, which currently operates from 08h00 to 17h00, while the border post remains open 24/7. This discrepancy forces many trucks to either reroute or remain idle when the weighbridge is closed.
The weighbridge faces a manpower shortage, operating with only four staff members instead of the required 12 for a 24-hour shift. Despite these challenges, Kabula-Simushi expressed optimism, stating that the planned upgrade of the Katima Mulilo Weighbridge to a multi-deck facility and the proposed 24-hour operations at Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo will help reduce congestion. This improvement could lead to a more efficient allocation of resources, potentially saving millions on road maintenance and allowing funds to be redirected to other government projects.