Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
ZIMBABWE is poised to take a leading role in Southern Africa’s energy transformation, as the Beira Bulk Petroleum Company advances a US$1,5 billion cross-border oil and gas pipeline linking Mozambique’s Beira Port through Harare to Lusaka in Zambia, and onward to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
The ambitious project, which has just achieved financial closure, is being hailed as a “game-changer” for regional economic growth, energy security and Zimbabwe’s industrial participation.
The deal was discussed at last week’s inaugural Zimbabwe-Zambia Bi-National Commission in Harare, where President Mnangagwa and President Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed their commitment to infrastructure-led regional integration.
For Zimbabwe, the project marks not only a logistical coup, but also a testament to the country’s renewed position as a regional energy hub.
“Our project is written in nature,” said Mr Darlington Chitangi, the chief executive officer of Beira Bulk Petroleum Company.
“It is built on the principle of mutual benefit and regional integration, directly responding to the real, on-the-ground needs of our economies.
“The Heads of State from Zimbabwe and Zambia have given us a clear instruction: these projects must be delivered without delay and without roadblocks. We are determined to see tangible dividends for our people.”
BBPC is actively courting participation from Zimbabwean private sector entities at the equity level, ensuring that local businesses and technical experts are integral to the project’s delivery.
“We are busy engaging Zimbabwean enterprises to participate in the project, not only at the equity level but also in engineering, logistics, and ongoing operations,” said Mr Chitangi.
“Next week, we will be holding in-depth discussions with the Mutapa Investment Fund regarding sovereign participation. Zimbabwean involvement is at the core of this development.”
Strategic Route, Modern Infrastructure
The pipeline’s first phase will involve constructing a multi-grade, 50km oil pipeline from the Mabvuku terminal in Harare to Lusaka, via Lion’s Den.
Ground-breaking for the project is anticipated within six months, pending the finalisation of technical studies and environmental impact assessments, with the initial phase targeted for completion within 12 months.
On the Zambian side, the pipeline will terminate at two major facilities:
Katoba Bulk Plant (East Lusaka): A new storage hub with a 150 000-cubic-metre capacity and an associated 100 000-metric-tonne cassava ethanol processing plant. The ethanol, made from cassava bagasse, will support blending for cleaner fuels.
Lusaka West Bulk Terminal: A Government-owned, 102 000-cubic-metre facility, recently developed and awaiting final integration with the new pipeline.
“These infrastructure investments are designed not just for today’s needs but to future-proof the region for decades of growth,” said Mr Cyrus Kaocha, a BBPC board member.
“The pipeline will support Zambia’s ambition to triple its copper output within a decade and serve the booming mining sector, as well as markets in Malawi and DRC.
For Zimbabwe, the pipeline means more than just improved fuel supply. It promises:
Enhanced storage and throughput capacity at Harare and beyond
Lower transportation costs for fuel, benefiting consumers and industry
New opportunities for local engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs
Knowledge transfer and technical collaboration with regional partners.
“Zimbabwe is at the heart of this corridor,” said Mr Chitangi.
Online Reporter