Zimbabwe’s government has reached a financial close with the Chirundu Border Consortium (CBC) to modernise the Chirundu Border Post, marking a decisive step toward overhauling one of the country’s busiest and most strategically important ports of entry.
The project, valued at $66.8 million, will overhaul ageing infrastructure and introduce advanced operational systems at a border crossing that serves as a critical gateway connecting Zimbabwe with Zambia and the broader regional market.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development described the achievement as a defining milestone for a nationally significant and transformative infrastructure project.
PRIVATE FINANCING, ZERO GOVERNMENT CAPITAL
Under the agreed Public-Private Partnership framework, the Chirundu Border Consortium will mobilise the capital required to deliver and operate the upgraded border post, providing modern public infrastructure without requiring capital funding from the Government of Zimbabwe.
The project will be implemented under a Build, Operate, Own and Transfer model over a period of 20 years.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the development demonstrated the government’s commitment to high-impact infrastructure through private-sector partnerships.
“The achievement of Financial Close demonstrates the Government’s commitment to implementing high-impact national infrastructure projects through effective partnerships with the private sector,” Mhona said.
“The modernisation of Chirundu Border Post will improve trade facilitation, strengthen regional connectivity and enhance the efficiency of the North-South Corridor.”
CONSTRUCTION MOBILISATION UNDERWAY
Construction mobilisation is already well advanced, according to the project partners. EPC contractors are fully mobilised, the batch plant is operational, and various contractors are already on site.
Major construction works are expected to begin in October, with completion targeted in approximately 18 months.
The project will involve renovating existing border post buildings and infrastructure, constructing new buildings, weighbridges, roads and parking lots, enhancing and integrating ICT systems, improving traffic processing systems, and constructing staff housing.
SAFAGA INTERNATIONAL LEADS THE PROJECT
Safaga International, which led the $300 million upgrade of Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge border with South Africa, is leading the Chirundu project. South Africa’s Strategic Partners Group is also participating as a strategic investor, while Standard Bank is serving as lead debt arranger and senior lender.
Glynn Cohen, Chairman of CBC and Safaga, said financial close represented the culmination of extensive cooperation between the government, CBC, Safaga and its financing and technical partners.
“We are grateful for the confidence placed in this Project and for the support received from the Government and all participating institutions,” Cohen said.
“SAFAGA is proud to have founded and sponsored this Project, and we look forward to delivering a modern and efficient border post that will serve Zimbabwe and the wider region for generations.”
CRITICAL GATEWAY ON THE NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR
The Chirundu One Stop Border Post was launched in December 2009 through a bilateral agreement between Zimbabwe and Zambia, becoming Africa’s first one-stop border post. It is a trade facilitation project under the North-South Corridor initiative spanning the COMESA, EAC and SADC regions.
The border handles freight between ports in South Africa and Mozambique and the Zambia-DRC Copperbelt, with traffic including copper, cobalt, fuel, mining equipment, reagents, and fertilizers. Trucks have long faced bottlenecks and lengthy delays at the crossing.
Zambia’s border development strategy identifies Chirundu as one of the country’s priority border posts for upgrading under a PPP model.