New multimodal corridor to link southern African countries

The African Development Bank is supporting the development of a multimodal transport corridor linking Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe through a deep-sea gateway of a new port at Techobanine, Mozambique. Situated 70km south of Maputo, Techobanine will be designed to initially handle up to 200 million tons of diversified cargo a year. The plan includes a heavy- haul railway line linking the three countries. Feasibility studies funded by the AfDB and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) are expected to be completed by December 2029. According to the request for proposal, the project will also consider the corridor’s potential as a driver of regional economic and social development. “The studies will include market analysis to identify business opportunities along the corridor, financial models, climate risk assessments, gender analysis and a green port assessment to evaluate the project’s environmental sustainability and social impacts. “This project is expected to facilitate trade, stimulate industrialisation and enhance regional integration. An initial prefeasibility study indicated potential for substantial economic returns. “The project economics will, however, need to be revisited to bring on board wider expected benefits besides mining, which may not have been emphasised at the pre-feasibility stage, including potential of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.” Plans for the corridor date back to 2011, when the three governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a deep-sea port at Techobanine and a heavy-haul railway linking the three countries. The MoU was renewed in April 2022, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to the project. “The project gained significant momentum with the recent successful tripartite technical ministerial meeting held on August 2, 2024,” according to the tender document. The transport ministers from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana endorsed a joint report to be presented to the Heads of State and Government. The report outlines a collaboration between National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Botswana Railways and CFM (Mozambique Ports and Railways) to invest $10 million in upgrading the railway line between Chicualacuala, Dabuka and Bulawayo (Limpopo Line). “This marks a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts to upgrade existing railway infrastructure within the Ponta Techobanine Project framework,” the document states. The line was closed between January and May for extensive repairs. ER