The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to disburse between three to four million US dollars to finance a feasibility study for the ambitious Techobanine railway and port project in the Matutuíne district of Maputo province, Mozambique. This significant financial commitment increases the likelihood of the project’s implementation, which aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic development.
Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala, has confirmed that the three countries potentially involved in the project—Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe—have already conducted independent studies. However, the objective now is to undertake more integrated and updated research to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s viability.
Minister Magala emphasised the importance of following all necessary steps meticulously for a project of this magnitude. To this end, the involvement of both national and international stakeholders is being sought. “It is in this context that we invite the AfDB, as Africa’s bank, where all African countries are shareholders, to lead the feasibility study process,” he said.
The feasibility study is expected to outline measures to mitigate any negative impacts on human life and biodiversity. Additionally, it will provide a definitive valuation of the project, potentially opening avenues for further financing from the AfDB, the governments involved, and international partners.
Minister Magala highlighted the pressing need for landlocked countries to access global markets via Mozambique. “Hinterland countries are in great need of transporting goods to the world through Mozambique. There is a lot of pressure, not only from Mozambique but also from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), for this dream to become a reality because it will leverage development across the region,” he explained.
The Techobanine project envisions the construction of a deep-water port spanning 13,000 hectares and a 1,200-kilometre railway line that will traverse Zimbabwe, linking Mozambique to Botswana. This project, currently estimated to be worth around 1.5 billion US dollars, aims to significantly increase cargo handling capacity across the three countries, thereby fostering regional trade and economic integration.
The feasibility study’s outcomes will be crucial in determining the project’s future and ensuring its alignment with environmental and social standards. The involvement of the AfDB and other international players underscores the strategic importance of the Techobanine project for the broader Southern African region.
