The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana are developing a financing model for one-stop border posts (OSBPs) aimed at easing cross-border trade and reducing transit times. Trade ministers from the five countries met on February 18, 2026, in Dubai with officials from DP World and the secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area to review project plans.
According to the DRC Ministry of Foreign Trade, the OSBP initiative will harmonize border procedures, coordinate controls, and eliminate duplication between neighboring countries. The project also prioritizes full digitization of customs and administrative processes, aiming to improve traceability, predictability of transit times, and reduce costs for businesses.
Discussions during the Dubai meeting focused on structuring the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework. In this model, a logistics operator would manage engineering, design, equipment, digital systems, and integration, while customs, immigration, and security functions would remain under state authority.
The delegations agreed to finalize the financing framework, project timeline, and country-specific administrative procedures within 15 days. This initiative aligns with AfCFTA’s operational rollout and broader southern African regional integration efforts.
In a related development, the DRC and Zambia signed an agreement in December 2025 to modernize and construct border facilities at Kasumbalesa, Kambimba, Kipushi, and Mokambo, with additional entry points to be identified through mutual agreement. Technical, financial, and operational arrangements for full OSBP functionality are still under discussion.
