A transit mostly known for tourism because of its spectacular scenery could speed up cross-border logistics between Zambia and Zimbabwe after it was announced that Victoria Falls will start operating 24 hours a day.
The development, which is expected to significantly improve transport and trade in the region, was made public by an Extraordinary Government Gazette on November 13 by Zimbabwe.
It was also confirmed by Zimbabwe’s Secretary of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Raphael Faranisi.
He said the border had been authorised to remain open around the clock, allowing trucks, goods and commuters to cross at any time and eliminating the previous bottleneck caused by restricted operating hours.
The change is regarded as positive by transport operators and freight companies.
Previously, trucks arriving after closing time were forced to wait until the following day, extending transit times and inflating operating costs.
With continuous access now in place, truck movements can be spread throughout the day, reducing waiting times, improving supply chain reliability and lowering transportation expenses.
The extended hours are expected to benefit exporters, importers and other logistics providers operating in Southern Africa, particularly within the SADC region, Zambia Transport & Logistics reports.
Small-scale traders and informal cross-border businesses are also expected to benefit from the 24-hour operation. Authorities have indicated that predictable, continuous access enables traders to organise deliveries more efficiently, streamline business processes and explore new commercial opportunities.
Reduced waiting times and improved traffic flow are likely to strengthen competitiveness and encourage investment along this important trade corridor.
Officials anticipate that continuous operations will ease congestion during peak times. In the past, long queues often formed ahead of the morning opening, affecting both commercial and private traffic.
Spreading border processing across the full 24 hours is expected to facilitate smoother flows, shorter waiting times and more predictable scheduling for freight operators.
The extended hours are also seen as supporting improved transport planning. Bus services, regional airlines and shuttle operators can now adjust timetables more effectively, while trucking companies are better able to select optimal delivery times to meet customer requirements.
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