Zambian Government Kick-Starts Phase One of the Long-Awaited Nakonde One-Stop Border Post Improvement & Upgrading Project
The Nakonde One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Improvement and Upgrading Project – Phase 1 has officially commenced, funded by the UK government through Trade Mark Africa with an investment of US$10 million. China Rail Construction and Engineering Group has been appointed as the contractor for this project at one of Zambia's busiest borders, which facilitates 22% of the country’s trade and processes over 800 trucks daily.
Phase 1 will focus on the commercial operations at the border, including upgrading the cargo scanner to handle over 100 trucks per hour and constructing a truck parking yard. This upgrade is expected to drastically reduce truck processing times from the current 64 hours to just 10 hours, with a target completion date of 31 March 2025.
Minister Eng. Charles Lubasi Milupi expressed gratitude for the World Bank's TRACER Project, which will fund the second phase. This phase, valued at US$22 million, will expand the main terminal, improve passenger services, enhance digital trade, and install smart border facilities.
Previous OSBP efforts in 2019 stalled due to inadequate infrastructure on the Zambian side, such as the lack of appropriate access roads. This project aims to overcome these obstacles and enhance efficiency along the Dar-es-Salaam Corridor. The Minister emphasised the importance of quality, correct pricing, and timely delivery for this critical project.
