PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected in Mozambique today for the groundbreaking ceremony marking the second phase of the Companhia do Pipeline Moçambique-Zimbabwe (CPMZ) expansion project.
President Mnangagwa will join his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, at Nhamatanda in Sofala Province for the ceremony, which will signal the start of construction work aimed at expanding the Beira-Feruka fuel pipeline.
The project is expected to increase the pipeline’s annual pumping capacity from three million to five million cubic metres by the end of next year, representing a significant boost to the movement of fuel into Zimbabwe and the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The expansion comes as regional economies face rising demand for diesel, petrol and jet fuel. Once completed, it is expected to strengthen fuel supply and improve energy security in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and neighbouring markets, including Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The second phase will include the construction of two pumping stations at Nhamatanda in Sofala Province and Messica in Manica Province. The new facilities are expected to raise the annual transport capacity of the Beira-Feruka pipeline by about 67 percent.
The upgraded system will also be synchronised with the PetroZim Line, creating a stronger and more integrated fuel distribution network between Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other countries that depend on the Beira Corridor for access to imported fuel.
Preparations for the ceremony were already underway at Nhamatanda yesterday, with officials from both countries coordinating logistical and technical arrangements ahead of the leaders’ arrival. Mnangagwa and Chapo are expected to unveil a plaque to mark the formal commencement of the construction phase.
The 294-kilometre Beira-Feruka pipeline links the Port of Beira with Zimbabwe and the wider Southern African hinterland. It is one of the key infrastructure assets supporting the Beira Corridor, a major trade and transport route serving landlocked countries in the region.
For Zimbabwe, the pipeline provides a vital route for the transportation of fuel from the Mozambican port to the country’s inland distribution network. The planned expansion is therefore expected to improve the reliability and efficiency of fuel deliveries while supporting regional trade and industrial activity.
The participation of the two presidents reflects the importance both governments attach to the project and underscores the longstanding relationship between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It also signals a shared commitment to developing infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic growth and regional energy security.
CPMZ operates continuously throughout the year, supported by a specialised technical team responsible for maintaining the pipeline and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of fuel.
The project is expected to become an important component of broader regional efforts to improve energy resilience, reduce supply bottlenecks and meet the growing needs of consumers, businesses and transport operators across Southern Africa.
