ZRA, Astrophysics sign contract for advanced cargo scanner

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and United States-based Astrophysics Inc. have signed a contract for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of an advanced drive through X-ray cargo scanner at the Livingstone Border Post. The contract was signed today at the…

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and United States-based Astrophysics Inc. have signed a contract for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of an advanced drive through X-ray cargo scanner at the Livingstone Border Post.

The contract was signed today at the United States Embassy in Lusaka by ZRA Commissioner General, Dingani Banda and Astrophysics Inc. Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development Vincent Zayek, during a ceremony hosted by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Mich Coker and attended by senior government officials.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Banda said the initiative was in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for the use of technology to transform tax administration and facilitate trade, through the implementation of the Non-Stop Border Pass concept.

“Technology, therefore, plays a vital role in facilitating trade and securing the supply chain. This underscores the importance of scanners in trade facilitation,” Mr Banda said.

Mr Banda said physical inspection of cargo without scanners can take up to five hours, while the Astrophysics scanner already deployed at Nakonde Border Post can scan a 30-tonne truck in about five seconds.

He said the Livingstone scanner will be the second scanner supplied by Astrophysics, building on the existing cooperation between the company and ZRA following the commissioning of the Nakonde scanner by President Hichilema in June 2026.

Mr Banda said Zambia’s strategic geographical position as a landlocked country situated along six major trade corridors makes efficient trade facilitation critical to the movement of goods across Southern Africa and the continent.

He said ZRA has implemented several reforms, including Coordinated Border Management, which has reduced the number of government agencies operating at borders from 18 to six, as well as Customs to Customs Data Exchange with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi, with discussions underway with Tanzania.

Mr Banda said ZRA is also applying risk management in customs operations, noting that entries channeled through the Blue Lane, which is earmarked for post-clearance audits, accounted for 59 percent of revenue collected in 2025.

“We are also applying risk management in the operations of customs, meaning that not all goods are subjected to a physical inspection,” he said.

Mr Banda said ZRA looked forward to continued collaboration with Astrophysics in leveraging technology to advance tax administration, enhance domestic resource mobilisation, secure the supply chain and ensure efficient trade facilitation.

And Astrophysics Inc. Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Vincent Zayek said the agreement represented more than a contract, describing it as a shared commitment to strengthening Zambia’s border security and the continued success of the programme.

He said Astrophysics was proud to provide Zambia with the latest technologies in non-intrusive cargo inspection and looked forward to expanding its presence in the country.

Mr Zayek said the company intends to add more systems and establish a permanent Astrophysics office in Zambia to provide stronger local support.

He thanked the U.S. Embassy and commercial team for organising the ceremony, as well as ZRA for its partnership, cooperation and trust in Astrophysics.

Meanwhile, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Mich Coker, said the project represented a model for modern border security by accelerating legitimate trade while making it harder for those seeking to abuse the border to succeed.

“American companies deliver not just best-in-world technology, innovation, and equipment, but an unrivaled standard of quality, of transparency, and of long-term partnership rather than a one-time transaction,” Mr Coker said.

He said the project supports Zambia’s priorities of strengthening domestic revenue collection, improving the ease of doing business and positioning the country as a reliable and secure hub for regional trade.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening border security and trade facilitation by enabling ZRA officers to inspect cargo more efficiently, accurately and safely, while reducing truck clearance times and making it more difficult to move contraband, smuggled goods and dangerous materials across the border.