The Victoria Falls Border Post has officially extended its operating hours to a continuous 24-hour service daily, a strategic decision poised to significantly enhance tourist arrivals and facilitate seamless trade between Zimbabwe and Zambia. This pivotal policy shift was formally declared through General Notice 2265A of 2025, an Extraordinary Government Gazette, as announced by Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The notice, published on November 13, explicitly states, "It is hereby declared that in terms of section 41 of the Immigration Act (Chapter 4:02), the Minister has extended the operating hours for the Victoria Falls Border Post to twenty-four (24) hours on a daily basis, with effect from the date of publication of this notice."

The move to round-the-clock operations at this crucial border post is anticipated to yield substantial benefits, particularly for the tourism sector. Tourists now enjoy unparalleled flexibility, enabling them to travel at any time and explore both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the magnificent Victoria Falls without concerns about border closing times. This enhanced convenience is expected to elevate the iconic "Smoke That Thunders" into an even more accessible and desirable bucket-list destination for international visitors.

Beyond tourism, the extended hours present a major advantage for cross-border trade. Traders and truck drivers will no longer face costly overnight delays or endure lengthy queues awaiting border reopening. A 24-hour operational status ensures faster movement of goods, which in turn helps to reduce transportation costs and allows businesses to maintain competitiveness. This represents a significant boon for commercial exchanges between Zimbabwe and Zambia, fostering a more dynamic economic environment.

Furthermore, the latest development at the Victoria Falls Border Post is set to considerably improve cross-border movements for local commuters and business persons. Smoother and quicker travel is expected to encourage increased movement of people between the two nations, thereby strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering greater regional integration. The introduction of round-the-clock operations will also play a crucial role in minimizing congestion, as the extended hours effectively spread out traffic flow, dramatically reducing the massive queues and bottlenecks that previously occurred when the border closed at 10 PM. This comprehensive upgrade promises a more efficient and beneficial experience for all users of the Victoria Falls Border Post.