By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:In a landmark display of national unity, eSwatini has conclusively laid the foundation for a seamless trade environment following a transformative two-week Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Workshop. 

The session, facilitated by the World Customs Organization(WCO), achieved what was once considered a formidable challenge, uniting every single government agency involved at the border with a common purpose and a concrete plan for action.

The Workshop, which concluded on Friday, 17 October 2025, saw an unprecedented level of commitment, with active participation not only from core agencies like Eswatini Revenue Service and the Ministry of Agriculture but also from the Police Service, national intelligence bodies, and the National Agricultural Marketing Board(NAMBOARD), all working in lockstep under the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC).

But for the first time, the principle of “one border stop” moved from a conceptual goal to an actionable reality. 

The collaborative energy in the room marked a significant cultural shift, breaking down long-standing silos and fostering a truly one-minded pursuit of trade efficiency.

"This level of all-inclusive commitment marks a pivotal moment for Eswatini's trade landscape. To see intelligence officers, police, and agricultural inspectors sitting side-by-side with customs officials, all dedicated to designing a streamlined process, is a game-changer. It emboldens our belief that a seamless border is within reach,” shared a source within the NTFC leadership. 

Setting an ambitious vision for the future, ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule challenged all stakeholders to aspire towards a revolutionary model. 

“Our ultimate goal must be a ‘No-Stop Border. This is where trusted, compliant traders, who are part of the Authorised Economic Operator(AEO) programme, experience a border crossing without the need to stop. This is the zenith of trade facilitation, and it is achievable if we continue this collaborative spirit and if businesses avail themselves of the AEO facility,” he said.

This vision elevates the entire initiative, moving beyond simply speeding up stops to envisioning a system where pre-cleared goods and trusted companies flow through borders unimpeded.

A critical component of the workshop was a dedicated session where the NTFC, including its private sector co-chair, Business Eswatini, engaged key importers, exporters, and freight forwarders. 

This session ensured the private sector’s practical concerns and expectations were directly embedded into the emerging framework.

During this dialogue, the WCO experts and agency heads presented the vision for CBM, including the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framework, its integration with the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and clear implementation timelines. 

The traders' feedback was captured to refine the national action plan, ensuring the resulting system is practical for the businesses that will use it daily.

The technical outputs of the workshop are profound, including the advanced drafting of the critical Inter-Agency Cooperation Framework and the National Data Harmonisation Plan. 

These documents are the blueprints for the future National Single Window.

However, the momentum has already sparked immediate, tangible progress. 

As a direct result of the advocacy and consensus built during the workshop, serious talks are now underway to extend operating hours at the Lavumisa Border Gate, with an initial target of midnight, and a clear, agreed-upon pathway toward a 24-hour operational model.

“This is a major achievement for our traders in the agriculture and transport sectors, for whom time is perishable and delays are costly. Having a seat at the table where these critical decisions are being made ensures that the voice of business leads to outcomes that will boost our Nation's competitiveness,” said the source.

The successful completion of this workshop, the bold vision of a “No-Stop Border," and the immediate action on extending hours send a powerful signal: Eswatini is building the most modern, efficient, and collaborative trade infrastructure in the region, with the private sector as a core architect of its future.