Beyond the Smoke and Thunder: Zambia and Zimbabwe Move to Smoothen Borders at Victoria Falls

LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA – It’s one of the most breathtaking sights on the planet, a roaring curtain of water that draws visitors from every corner of the globe. But for years, the experience of visiting the majestic Victoria Falls has often been paired with a less wondrous reality: long queues and bureaucratic delays at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Today, that’s set to change.

In a landmark meeting, the two neighbouring nations are taking decisive steps to transform the visitor experience, convening a high-level ministerial dialogue to create a seamless, modern border crossing that matches the wonder of the shared natural treasure it serves.

The gathering, held in the shadow of the Falls themselves, is fueled by a powerful sense of shared destiny. Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa, captured the mood perfectly, dismissing old anxieties about competition.

“Some officers expressed concern that other countries in the region were marketing Victoria Falls as their own,” Mnangagwa shared. “And I reminded them then, as I remind you now: this should not trouble us. Every visitor drawn to the Falls ultimately brings value and revenue to our two nations. We are one people, separated only by a river.”

This collaborative spirit is being driven from the very top. Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Rodney Sikumba, revealed that the talks build directly on a recent agreement between the countries’ two presidents, which includes a game-changing decision to keep the Victoria Falls border post open 24 hours a day.

“We gather here to advance a new chapter in our enduring partnership as two sister nations,” Minister Sikumba stated. “Our objective is clear: to create a facilitation point rather than a bottleneck.”

The World Bank, a key facilitator of the meeting, underscored what’s at stake. Nathan Belete, a World Bank Division Director, pointed to the region’s stunning post-pandemic tourism rebound, with over 3.8 million international arrivals in both countries last year alone.

But he also highlighted the hurdles—congestion, complex visa policies, and infrastructure gaps—that still hold the region back. The solution now on the table involves a raft of practical measures, from digital customs systems to a joint blueprint for a “Smart One Stop Border Post.”

The ambition is clear: to ensure the journey across the border is as awe-inspiring as the destination itself, fostering a new era of shared prosperity for Zambia and Zimbabwe.