President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to travel to Mozambique today to join Mozambican President Daniel Chapo for the groundbreaking ceremony of the second phase of the Companhia do Pipeline Moçambique-Zimbabwe (CPMZ) expansion project.
The ceremony will take place in Nhamatanda, Sofala Province, and will mark the start of construction aimed at increasing the capacity of the Beira-Feruka fuel pipeline.
The expansion is expected to play a key role in meeting rising fuel requirements in Zimbabwe and across the Southern African region.
Upon completion, the project will raise the pipeline’s annual pumping capacity from about three million cubic metres to five million cubic metres by the end of next year.
The expanded pipeline will work alongside the PetroZim Line, improving the reliability of fuel supplies to Zimbabwe and Mozambique while also benefiting other regional markets, including Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As part of the project, two additional pumping stations will be built at Nhamatanda in Sofala Province and Messical in Manica Province.
The new facilities are expected to lift the Beira-Feruka pipeline’s annual transportation capacity by approximately 67 percent, allowing it to handle increased volumes of diesel, petrol and aviation fuel.
Preparations for the launch were reportedly well underway in Nhamatanda yesterday, with officials and technical teams from both countries working on the final logistical arrangements.
Mnangagwa and Chapo are expected to officially mark the beginning of the construction phase by unveiling a commemorative plaque during the ceremony.
The 294-kilometre Beira-Feruka pipeline is an important part of the Beira Corridor, connecting the Port of Beira to Zimbabwe and providing a key fuel transportation route into the landlocked countries of the Southern African hinterland.
The involvement of the two Presidents highlights the close relationship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, while also demonstrating the two countries’ commitment to regional infrastructure development, trade and energy security.
CPMZ was established in 1982 and operates through a public-private partnership involving the Mozambican Government and private investors. The company operates throughout the year and relies on a workforce comprising Mozambican professionals.
The latest expansion is expected to deliver benefits beyond increased fuel transportation, including improved logistics, stronger regional energy security and enhanced cross-border commerce.
The project could also reinforce the Port of Beira’s position as a major entry point for fuel and other goods destined for Southern Africa.
Long-term proposals include the possibility of constructing a larger-diameter pipeline and extending the network towards Zambia’s Copperbelt. If implemented, such plans could further increase Mozambique’s importance as a regional fuel distribution hub.
The groundbreaking ceremony also carries historical significance for Zimbabwe and Mozambique, whose close ties were strengthened during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, when Mozambique provided important support to the independence movement.
