A tool for assessing the efficiency of corridors and OSBPs in Africa

Since the launch of the MoveAfrica initiative, a project kicked off in 2016 aimed at improving trade across the continent by lowering costs and increasing efficiency of logistics for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) operators and manufacturers operating in Africa, AUDA-NEPAD, the development agency of the African Union responsible for coordinating and executing priority regional and continental development projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063, has been developing a tool called Traffic Light System (TLS) to assess the efficiency of transport and trade corridors and One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) located along such corridors.

The TLS analyses the level of simplification, standardization and harmonization of border crossing procedures by examining logistics, traffic flows and volumes of goods moved along corridors and at OSBPs, including the complexity of transport regulations applicable to such infrastructure. Its purpose is to identifying the main inefficiencies, such as excessive road checkpoints, bureaucratic procedures and inadequate road and logistics infrastructure, so the appropriate corrective measures can be undertaken by competent authorities. All corrective actions are documented and analyzed so that they can be more easily replicated to other corridors and/or border posts.

The TLS has so far been piloted in four selected border posts: 1. Beitbridge (border between South Africa and Zimbabwe); 2.Chirundu (between Zambia and Zimbabwe); 3. Kazungula (between Botswana and South Africa) and Kasumbalesa (between Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia). The TLS tool has also been extended to two ECOWAS OSBPs, namely the Seme-Krake (between Nigeria and Benin) and Noepe-Akanu (between Ghana and Togo), both located along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor.