Mozambique and Botswana to build new port and railway

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

The governments of Mozambique and Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding last week to develop a deep water port at Techobanine point, in Mozambique's southernmost district of Matutuine.

Besides building a port that can receive bulk mineral ships, oil tankers and passenger vessels, the project also involves a new 1,100 kilometre railway linking Techobanine to Botswana, and passing through Zimbabwe.

Speaking during the presentation of the project, Adelino Mesquita, the Chief Executive Officer of Mozambique's port and rail company, CFM, said that the budget for studies and for the construction of the port and railway is estimated at around seven billion US dollars. The preparatory phase, including the mobilisation of finance, should be completed by the end of 2011, and the first phase of construction will take place between 2012 and 2015.

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