14 November 2025 | Africa Business Desk
A growing number of trade experts and logistics operators across the continent say Africa’s biggest threat to economic integration is not tariffs, but border inefficiencies that continue to cripple the movement of goods.
Despite progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), transporters argue that the real bottlenecks lie in slow, congested, and poorly coordinated borders.
At several major crossing points—including Kasumbalesa, Beitbridge, and Chirundu—trucks routinely spend hours or even days waiting for clearance. “Tariffs no longer delay the African trader; it’s the borders,” said one regional operator.
Industry reports indicate that non-tariff barriers such as manual documentation, multiple inspection agencies, outdated systems, and inconsistent procedures have become the top contributors to rising operational costs.
Analysts are calling for smart borders with digital customs, harmonized procedures, and one‑stop border posts to unlock true intra‑African trade.
By Mary Moonga Kapikila
