Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, on December 19, 2025 inspected the Kasumulu One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) along the Tanzania–Malawi border to evaluate the extent and implications of damage caused by incidents that occurred on October 29, 2025.
The visit focused on office buildings that were destroyed by fire, an incident that disrupted customs operations and weakened border management at one of the country’s strategic revenue collection points.
The destruction interrupted the flow of cross-border trade, delayed clearance processes and constrained the ability of authorities to effectively enforce customs and immigration controls.
After the inspection, Dr Nchemba described the damage as a serious setback with economic, operational and social consequences.
He noted that the incident affected not only government infrastructure but also traders, transporters and communities whose livelihoods depend on efficient border services.
According to the Prime Minister, disruptions at such facilities translate into revenue losses, increased transaction costs and reduced confidence in cross-border trade systems.
He stressed that one-stop border posts are critical to Tanzania’s revenue performance and regional trade facilitation agenda, as they are designed to reduce clearance time, improve compliance and strengthen coordination among border agencies.
Any disruption, he observed, undermines these objectives and exposes the country to fiscal and security risks.
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Deputy Commissioner General, Mr Mcha Hassan Mcha, said an initial assessment of losses to buildings and government assets had been completed to inform restoration and compensation measures.
He added that security at the border post had been reinforced and that long-term preventive strategies were being developed to safeguard the facility and ensure continuity of customs operations.
Mr Mcha noted that TRA is prioritising the restoration of full services at Kasumulu while maintaining effective revenue administration and trade facilitation.
He said the authority is working with other government institutions to balance security, operational efficiency and stakeholder confidence at the border.
The Kasumulu OSBP is a key gateway for trade between Tanzania and Malawi and an important link in regional supply chains.
The scale of the damage and the government’s response highlight the broader challenge of protecting critical revenue infrastructure amid rising pressures on cross-border trade and border security.