THE Comesa Yellow Card Council of Bureaux Secretariat (CBS) has launched a USSD verification application for the yellow card scheme to strengthen enforcement and reduce fraud regarding cross-border trading in Zimbabwe.
The new USSD tool allows border and enforcement officers to verify the validity of a Comesa Yellow Card in real-time, using a mobile phone.
The innovation is expected to enhance transparency, curb the use of fraudulent cards, and speed up border clearance processes.
The Comesa Yellow Card Scheme is a regional motor vehicle third-party insurance programme operational across all member States.
It facilitates cross-border trade by ensuring the smooth transit of vehicles and providing protection for victims of road accidents involving foreign motorists.
Speaking during its launch in Harare on Friday, CBS chief executive officer Calven Mutyavaviri said the tool represented a milestone in their continuous efforts to transform its operations of the scheme.
“The digital yellow card USSD application, as I said earlier, is designed to test the potential of the new technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border transport,” he said.
“This capability will significantly reduce the time and effort required for verifying traffic and ensure that our roads are safer by confirming that foreign vehicles are adequately insured.”
This transition to a digital platform, from a data-based system, he said, enhanced accessibility and reduced the risk of fraud and error.
“It provides a more secure and reliable method of verification, ensuring that all stakeholders can trust the integrity of the commercial yellow card,” Mutyavaviri said.
He said the first benefit of the system is real-time verification, where enforcement agents can “now easily confirm the validity of the commercial yellow card, which will lead to more efficient and effective enforcement.”
“The second benefit is ease of use. The application is accessible free of charge from any mobile phone without the need for internet connectivity.”
He said this made it highly convenient, especially in remote areas where internet access could be limited.
“The third benefit relates to compliance,” Mutyavaviri said.
He said the tool supported enforcement agents in ensuring that all foreign vehicles were adequately insured, thereby enhancing road safety and reducing the risk of uninsured vehicles on the road.
In terms of operational efficiency, he said the application streamlined the verification process, reducing the time and effort required for both enforcement agents and cross-border motorists.
Acting chief director for Economic Cooperation, International Trade and Diaspora in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sienzeni Mateta, said the scheme had long played a critical role in facilitating safe regional travel.
She revealed that 308 844 yellow cards were issued during the 2022/23 period, generating US$17,23 million in premiums.
“These numbers are not just statistics; they represent the safety and security of countless journeys, the smooth operation of businesses across borders, and the strengthening of economic ties within our region,” she said. -newsda
