What You Need to Know
Mozambique and South Africa are advancing the implementation of a one-stop border post at Ressano Garcia, significantly improving transport efficiency. Recent efforts have reduced truck processing times from three days to an average of 20-30 minutes, facilitating the movement of goods between the two countries. The initiative aims to fully digitalize border processes by next year, enhancing trade.
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, met his South African counterpart, Barbara Creecy, to review activities being carried out towards the implementation of the one-stop border post at Ressano Garcia.
At the site, progress achieved since the last visit carried out in December 2025 was noted. For example, at that time there was congestion stretching up to 20 kilometres along National Road No. 4 (N4); the problem has now been resolved.
Currently, trucks take no more than two hours to be processed. In fact, during the week the average waiting time has been between 20 and 30 minutes, representing an improvement in efficiency. “Minister Matlombe told me when we met in Mozambique in November that often trucks took three days to cross this border, which represented a huge risk for transport efficiency,” recalled Barbara Creecy.
This occurred in a situation where vehicles were transporting dangerous goods and other cargo that needed to reach the Port of Maputo quickly for onward shipment by vessels. “Today, thanks to the work we have done, we have an average of 17,000 trucks passing through this border per day.”
Creecy explained that currently, a driver stops once to show their passport and other related documents; if documents are not in order, they are warned and must correct them. If everything is in order, they proceed automatically to the second point and do not need to stop twice.
“This is a temporary solution, but the future is at kilometre 7 on the South African side and kilometre 4 in Mozambique. At kilometre 7, a single facility will be introduced involving immigration, customs and loading processes. We expect to have it fully digitalised on both sides of the border by next year,” she said.
For his part, João Matlombe explained that the Government agreed to consolidate what has been achieved as transitional measures to end truck congestion on the N4. “Fortunately, on the South African side, the Minister is leading a process of transformation of the logistics corridor that will facilitate integration with the efforts we are making on our side, so that the corridor can develop our economies.”
On the occasion, Matlombe called on all working teams to understand that they are in a transitional phase. “We have to make a little more sacrifice, but in the short term we will overcome it, in order to have a more definitive solution that will allow us to work under less pressure.”
He added that “despite being in a transitional phase, we are committed to ensuring that all these projects are completed soon and implemented in line with our expectations,” he said.
The Ressano Garcia border post has long been a critical point for trade between Mozambique and South Africa. Historically, congestion and delays have plagued this route, impacting the efficiency of goods transport, particularly for time-sensitive cargo. Recent collaborative efforts between the two nations aim to streamline operations and enhance economic integration, reflecting a broader trend of regional cooperation in logistics and trade facilitation. The introduction of a one-stop border post is expected to further bolster economic ties and improve the flow of goods across the border.
