The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has introduced free internet cafés at key border posts to reduce congestion and promote digital customs processing, ZRA commissioner general Dingani Banda has announced.
Banda was quoted by state media on Wednesday as saying that the initiative would enable clearing agents to process goods online rather than waiting in long queues
The move comes amid persistent congestion at several border points, including Katima Mulilo and Kasumbalesa where delays have disrupted trade and strained infrastructure.
The internet cafés are part of ZRA’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility for clearing agents and traders.
Banda also revealed that ZRA is enhancing its systems to allow mobile-based customs clearance, making the process more flexible and user-friendly.
This would allow agents to process transactions from their phones, which will significantly reduce wait times and improve compliance.
The digital clearance initiative aligns with Zambia’s broader efforts to modernize border management and facilitate trade under regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
JN/APA