Trade Facilitation Overview

In Southern Africa, high import and export costs significantly constrain trade-based growth, limit product diversification and increase the price of consumer goods, including food. This is a serious problem in the region, where transport-related costs contribute up to 14 percent of the final consumer price of a product (double the global average).

In an effort to help reduce the time and costs of importing and exporting, the Trade Hub is promoting several modern trade facilitation tools throughout Southern Africa and assisting in their adoption.

National Single Window (NSW) connects trade-related stakeholders within a country via a single electronic data information exchange platform. Mauritius was the first SADC country to have a Single Window and is currently ranked 21st on the Trading Across Borders Index – the highest in Africa. Mozambique launched its pilot NSW in December 2011. Building on this regional success, the Trade Hub is also assisting Mozambique’s landlocked neighbors to connect to its NSW.

Customs Connectivity connects the customs management system of one country to another. In partnership with Microsoft and customs authorities of Botswana and Namibia, the Trade Hub is launching a “cloud-based customs connectivity” pilot system between these two countries.

Coordinated Border Management (CBM) entails greater coordination between border management agencies to achieve improved regulatory efficiency and effectiveness in order to reduce the time required to move goods across borders. The Trade Hub is currently implementing CBM activities at the Songwe, Mwanza, Dedza, and Mchinji borders in Malawi and Zambia.

One Stop Border Post (OSBP) enables neighboring countries to coordinate import, export and transit processes so that traders and tourists stop only once at either side of the border to undertake regulatory formalities for crossing. The Trade Hub has supported Namibia and Botswana’s effort to develop an OSBP between their countries and is promoting similar initiatives between Botswana and South Africa, and between Malawi and Mozambique.

Program Objectives:

• Promote coordination between border agencies
• Connect stakeholders via a single electronic data exchange platform
• Provide electronic connectivity between customs management systems
• Share best trade facilitation practices and build synergies with other institutions
• Support customs modernization

Chief of Party:
John James
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Director, Trade Facilitation:
Godwin Punungwe
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USAID Project Officer:
Rick J. Gurley
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