Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Mozambican government has granted a 25-year concession to two Chinese companies to build and operate a comprehensive border center at the Machipanda crossing, one of the key land routes connecting Mozambique with Zimbabwe. This initiative aims to enhance regional trade and develop logistical infrastructure between the two countries.
According to a report from a local source, the project has been awarded to the companies “Union Portlink Capital” and “Chongqing Engineering Group” under a public-private partnership model. The Chinese companies will hold 75% of the project, while the Mozambican government will own 15% through the government road fund, with the remaining 10% allocated to local investors and companies.
Construction is set to begin in October, with an estimated cost of around $30 million, as announced by the Mozambican government spokesperson, Inocencio Mbisa.
The Machipanda crossing is one of the most important trade corridors in southern Africa, linking Zimbabwe and several landlocked countries to the Port of Beira, Mozambique’s second-largest port, which serves as a major outlet for imports and exports to the region.
The crossing sees over 400 trucks carrying goods between the Port of Beira and domestic markets daily. Authorities expect the new border center to unify and simplify customs and immigration procedures, reduce congestion, and decrease truck waiting times, thereby enhancing the efficiency of cross-border trade.
The project aligns with regional efforts to develop transport infrastructure within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to facilitate the movement of goods between African countries and reduce logistical barriers to intra-African trade.
Additionally, the new agreement strengthens Chinese presence in the transport and logistics sector in Mozambique, as the two Chinese companies previously secured contracts to develop access roads to the Port of Beira and the Dondo logistics hub, with investments estimated at around $160 million. These projects, along with the development of the Machipanda crossing, are expected to enhance connectivity between the Port of Beira and key regional markets in southern Africa.
China continues to solidify its position as one of the largest funders of infrastructure projects in Africa, financing and implementing road, rail, port, and industrial facility projects through government funding institutions and private Chinese companies.
For Mozambique, the new border center project is anticipated to bolster its role as a major logistics gateway for Southern African countries by improving the flow of goods through one of the busiest trade corridors in the region.
Officials believe that the growing volume of regional trade will increase the importance of investing in border crossing infrastructure, as it is a crucial element in reducing transportation costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Port of Beira as the main maritime outlet for Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other landlocked countries.
