Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana agreed Friday to collaborate on a major infrastructure project to upgrade the Beira-Zimbabwe-Botswana railway system and construct a new deepwater mineral port in Mozambique.
The regional initiative aims to enable landlocked Botswana to develop its massive coal reserves for export with a new rail line connecting to existing rail infrastructure in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where the new deepwater port would allow for easy export. It is expected to boost trade and economic development for the region, particularly in the mining and transport sectors.
Although discussions will continue in the coming weeks, Friday saw the three countries sign a goods transport agreement, an agreement for construction of the Techobanine deepwater port, and a letter requesting financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
[See more: Mozambique signs a new expansion deal for its largest port]
Before financing can be determined, the AfDB will conduct a feasibility study that “we estimate will cost between US$3 to 4 million, in the form of a donation,” explained Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications Mateus Magala. The funds for the project will likely come from a mix of sources, he said, including AfDB, the government, the private sector and other financial institutions.
Environmental studies have already been carried out for the Techobanine deepwater port, planned for an area adjacent to Maputo National Park in southern Mozambique, assuring that “respect for humanity and biodiversity are protected in this location”. The long-awaited port would cover an area of over 10 square kilometres with a capacity to transport 3 million tons of fuel and 16 million tons of coal and other ores.
The new rail line builds on existing infrastructure, including the recently upgraded Beira-Machipanda line in Mozambique and a 10-km extension to Mutare in Zimbabwe currently under construction, to connect the Selebi-Phikwe coal region of Botswana to the coast. It also builds on previous cooperation; Zimbabwe and Botswana railways have linked and worked together previously, as have lines between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
