Mbabane – Eswatini and South Africa have renewed their commitment to improving the efficiency and security of their shared borders through modernisation projects and stronger collaboration.
At a joint Steering Committee meeting held this week, officials from both countries agreed to continue working together to ease trade movement, reduce congestion, and curb cross-border crime.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade reported that waiting times at the busy Oshoek–Ngwenya border have already dropped from an hour to about 20 minutes following recent upgrades. Plans are also underway to establish a smart one-stop border post and extend 24-hour operations at Kolela.
Both governments are investing in infrastructure improvements and aligning customs systems to facilitate trade and regional integration, with support from the World Bank’s Southern Africa Trade Facilitation Programme.
South Africa’s Border Management Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said the initiative will help create smarter and better-coordinated border management systems. Eswatini’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Gugu Mahlindza, said collaboration between the two countries will promote the smooth movement of goods and people, which are key to economic growth across the region.
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