President Mnangagwa arrives in Mozambique

Darlington Musarurwa in Manica, Mozambique

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has arrived in Manica, Mozambique for the official commissioning of the 300-kilometre Machipanda railway line, which stretches from Beira Port to Machipanda Border Post.

The US$200 million project is expected to increase freight volumes on the line from the current 600 000 tonnes to 3,5 million tonnes in the first 12 months.

President Filipe Nyusi invited President Mnangagwa to the launch when the two leaders met recently on the sidelines of the Saudi Arabia-Africa Summit.

Zimbabwe and Mozambique are actively trying to solve congestion at the border between the two countries, which President Nyusi attributes to the growing economy in Zimbabwe.

Between 300 to 500 trucks are cleared at the border every day.

On its side, Zimbabwe has already approved the modernisation of Forbes Border Post, while the Christmas Pass bypass road, which will prevent trucks from passing through Mutare’s central business district, is now imminent.

Further, the creation of a dry port is expected to ease congestion.