Major cross-border rail refurb project takes shape

Sunday Mail Reporter

ZIMBABWE, Mozambique and Botswana have begun mobilising funding for the development of the ambitious Ponta Techobanine Project, which involves the construction of a deep-sea port in Mozambique and a sprawling railway network across the three nations.

A recent tripartite ministerial meeting held in Maputo, Mozambique, convened by ministers responsible for transport from the three countries, along with their respective railway agencies, discussed steps towards refurbishing the existing railway line.

During the meeting, Mozambique pledged to invest close to US$10 million to rehabilitate the 447-kilometre stretch between Chicualacuala and Dabuka, a critical link in the overall project.

In a report to the three countries’ leaders — Presidents Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique) and Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana) — the tripartite committee noted the need to accelerate mobilisation of funding for the project.

The railway authorities of the three countries — Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) of Mozambique, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the Botswana Railways (BR) — met on July 13, 2024 after being directed by the three Presidents to “meet before the SADC Summit of August 17, 2024 to deliberate on collaborations in refurbishing existing railway for subsequent reporting to you as Heads of State and Government responsible for the tripartite arrangement”.

The Tripartite Ministerial Meeting agreed that with regard to CFM and NRZ, Mozambique, through CFM, will refurbish the 447km stretch from Chicualacuala to Dabuka (Gweru) at an estimated cost of US$9,9 million worth of materials, where CFM will contribute US$7,7 million, while NRZ will contribute US$2,2 million.

“Works on the Limpopo line will commence on August 15, 2024 after the two railway entities have entered into an agreement for the same. The methodology of reimbursement shall be 50 percent of cargo coming from Mozambique to Zimbabwe invoicing in the NRZ portion.

“There have been prior engagements with regards collaboration on the Limpopo line between NRZ and CFM.

“With regards BR and NRZ, Botswana, through Botswana Railways, will continue to engage Zimbabwe, through National Railways of Zimbabwe, to refurbish the 167km stretch from Somabhula to Bulawayo; and engagements will be completed by August 10, 2024.”

This ambitious undertaking is poised to transform transportation and trade in Southern Africa, creating new economic opportunities and fostering regional integration.

The project was first mooted in 2011, when the ministers of transport from the three countries agreed to develop an Onshore Deep-Sea Port at Techobanine in Mozambique.

This port was envisaged to handle various types of cargo and would be complemented by a heavy haul railway line stretching 1 700 kilometres across Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, estimated to cost US$6,5 billion.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the three countries was signed in 2016 and reviewed in 2022, solidifying the commitment of the three nations to this transformative project.