Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) is rolling out a series of trainings for border stakeholders to promote the efficient implementation of various agreements under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The programme is being conducted under the concept “Promoting prosperity pathways for women and youth-led MSMEs within the AfCFTA: Role of customs officials in trade facilitation.”
So far, trainings have been held at Beitbridge, Kazungula, Victoria Falls, and Mutare.
In a statement on Tuesday following a training session for border officials at Forbes Border Post, the UNDP indicated that they are conducting a series of sessions to build the capacity of Zimbabwean border officials in their key role in trade facilitation.
“This is the fourth session (after Beitbridge, Kazungula, and Victoria Falls) aimed at capacitating Zimbabwe’s border officials to enhance their role in trade facilitation, with a particular focus on women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” said the UNDP.
“This training brought together key stakeholders from Government, the private sector, various border agencies, and development partners to address critical barriers and opportunities for inclusive trade under the AfCFTA.
“It is part of a package of AfCFTA-related interventions, which include training for MSMEs to enable them to maximize the opportunities presented by the agreement.”
Among other topics, the sessions focus on the role of customs officials as key enablers of trade.
Discussions are centered on capacity building to streamline customs procedures, including training on rules of origin, anti-dumping measures, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers to ensure efficient cross-border trade.
“The session also addressed specific issues that women and youth often face at border points and explored ways in which border officials can help address these challenges,” stated the UNDP.
“The AfCFTA aims to create a single market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
This training reinforces Zimbabwe’s commitment to aligning national policies with the AfCFTA framework, fostering economic integration and sustainable development.
“Discussions highlighted the AfCFTA’s Women and Youth Protocol, which seeks to ensure that women and youth benefit from trade opportunities while also providing mechanisms for informal enterprises to enter formal economies through tools such as simplified trade regimes. Empowering women and youth in trade will unlock significant economic potential for Zimbabwe and the broader continent.”
According to the Zimbabwe UNDP Coordinator (Tax for SDGs), Mr Melusi Tshuma, women and youth-led businesses are not just participants; they are leaders in Africa’s trade revolution. He stated that the programme paves the way for equitable access to markets, finance, and technology within the AfCFTA framework.
“Customs officials are critical to unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA. Through effective training and streamlined border procedures, we can reduce trade costs and leverage trade, particularly through the
AfCFTA, for inclusive growth,” said Ms Ethel Bangwayo, UNDP national economist.
