Revenue enhances after Beitbridge upgrade
Government revenue at the Beitbridge Border Post has risen dramatically following the completion of its modernisation, showcasing a successful example of just how public-private collaborations (PPPs) can drive infrastructure-led growth in Zimbabwe and beyond.
This positive growth was highlighted by Mr. Glynn Cohen, Chairperson of ZimBorders, during the recently concluded European Union-Zimbabwe Business Forum held in Harare. The event attracted praise for the Beitbridge upgrade as a pioneering project and a benchmark for future PPP-driven infrastructure across Africa.
Successful Public-Private Partnership
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 funding, developing, and operating infrastructure projects in the country.
According to Mr. Cohen, the upgraded border post has significantly improved operational efficiency, boosted formal trade, curbed contraband, 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, efficient, 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.”
Benefits of Modernisation
The government now receives royalties on every crossing at the border, and modern facilities have significantly reduced smuggling, transit fraud, and corruption by improving transparency and operational control, helping formalize trade activities that were previously informal.
Cohen praised PPPs as powerful engines for increased development in Zimbabwe, commending the government’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth and a policy shift towards transparency, collaboration, and modernization.
He also reflected on the project’s challenges, noting that despite the unique local characteristics and global disruptions caused by COVID-19, the partnership delivered on timelines with strategic agility and close control.
“This project has been internationally recognized with several awards for its innovation, structure, and impact,” Cohen concluded.
Government Commitment and Collaboration
At the forum, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, highlighted the government’s broad reforms to enhance the ease of doing business and attract investment.
“Our presence here demonstrates Zimbabwe’s steadfast 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 streamlines investment processes.”
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 organized by the EU delegation in partnership with ZIDA, ZimTrade, and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.
Future Implications
The Beitbridge Border Post’s success serves as a beacon for Zimbabwe’s infrastructural aspirations and a blueprint for how effective PPPs can transform crucial economic gateways across Africa.
