Islamic funding earmarked for construction of Moz road

Construction of a 176km paved road, connecting northern Mozambique to Tanzania, is to be financed by the Islamic Development Bank, according to media reports.

The road – which connects Mueda to Negomano – stretches over the Ponte da Unidade (Unity Bridge) before continuing on to Tanzania.

According to Mozambican news agency AIM, former Mozambican president, Armando Guebuza, and his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete, inaugurated the bridge five years ago. However, the poor condition of the existing road, combined with the rainy season, has meant the bridge is underused.

News agency Macauhub quoted Mozambican minister of economy and finance, Adriano Maleiane, as saying the funding amount to be granted to Mozambique still needed to be agreed upon, with necessary financial studies yet to be carried out.