Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE is positioning itself as Southern Africa’s next major fuel logistics hub after the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe began upgrading pipeline capacity to 5 billion litres amid rising regional demand and global supply uncertainties.
The expansion drive was revealed yesterday by Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) and NOIC officials during a tour of the petroleum company’s depots in Msasa and Mabvuku in Harare by the Public Accounts Committee chaired by Marondera Central legislator Mr Caston Matewu.
NOIC is a State-owned entity responsible for storing, handling and transporting petroleum products through a pipeline stretching from Beira in Mozambique to the Msasa depot.
The entity, which is wholly owned by MIF, also manages strategic fuel infrastructure including storage depots and ethanol blending facilities.
The pipeline upgrade comes as the country leverages strategic energy infrastructure to cement its position as a key logistics and re-export hub for Southern Africa, while strengthening national fuel security amid rising geopolitical tensions.
MIF deputy chief investment officer Mr Ernest Denhere said NOIC has become one of the country’s most strategic national assets under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“We are indeed pleased that NOIC pumped 2,7 billion litres in 2025, which significantly exceeded the budget of 2,3 billion litres, and was a dramatic increase from the prior year.”
Mr Denhere said the growth was achieved after pipeline capacity was upgraded from two billion litres to three billion litres, with plans now underway to further expand throughput to five billion litres.
The pipeline remained the most efficient fuel transportation system in the region as it reduced transportation costs, minimised product losses and protected the country’s road infrastructure.
“As the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), we view NOIC as one of the cornerstones in achieving NDS2 and Vision 2030 agendas, precisely because the pipeline conveyance is the most throughput-efficient mode in our corridor,” said Mr Denhere.
He said the strategic value of the country’s fuel infrastructure has become more pronounced during ongoing tensions in the Middle East, disrupting international supply chains and triggered fuel price volatility.
“The true resilience of this midstream asset has probably come to the fore recently. In the midst of the GCC (Gulf Cooperating Council) crisis, with geopolitical volatility that has threatened supply lines and sent fuel prices firing, Zimbabwe’s infrastructure from NOIC has indeed provided a critical buffer,” he said.
Mr Denhere said the country managed to avoid fuel shortages that affected several countries in the region due to strong coordination between NOIC and fuel suppliers.
“By coordinating closely with these partners, we have avoided the dry house scenarios that have indeed plagued many other nations around us,” he said.
NOIC’s long-term strategic roadmap focuses on protecting existing infrastructure, expanding pipeline capacity and transforming Zimbabwe into a regional energy logistics hub for SADC, added Mr Denhere.
NOIC chief executive officer Mr Wilfred Matukeni said the current pipeline infrastructure is now operating at full capacity, necessitating further expansion works.
