The Executive Committee of Business Eswatini has endorsed plans to pilot a Juxtaposed One-Stop-Border-Post (OSBP) at the Ngwenya-Oshoek border for commercial vehicles.
The decision was made during a recent Executive Committee meeting, where discussions touched on the progress of the Eswatini National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC).
This innovative approach, commonly used across Africa, is expected to significantly reduce delays and improve efficiency at the busy Ngwenya-Oshoek border, a critical trade corridor for the region.
The Secretariat reported that conversations to implement the pilot are at an advanced stage, intending to launch it before the upcoming Easter holidays. However, the Committee emphasized the importance of effective change management to ensure a smooth transition and successful pilot. Potential challenges, including the need for coordinated efforts between border agencies, were also highlighted.
In response to these challenges, the Executive Committee urged the CEO of Business Eswatini, who serves as Co-Chair of the NTFC, to engage bilaterally with relevant border agencies to secure the necessary resources and support for the initiative.
The pilot is seen as a critical step toward modernizing border operations and boosting trade efficiency, aligning with Eswatini’s broader economic development goals.
The Ngwenya-Oshoek border is one of the busiest in the region with an estimated traffic of over 300 trucks per day, and the successful implementation of the Juxtaposed OSBP could serve as a model for other border posts, further enhancing Eswatini’s position as a key player in regional trade.