Mozambique and Botswana agree to rail transport project

26 July 2011

An agreement has been made for a transport infrastructure project to allow Botswana to gain greater access to the Indian Ocean through Mozambique. 

The two nations intend to invest in the initiative to connect Mozambique's Maputo province with Botswana via Zimbabwe, according to Macau Hub.

This 1,100-kilometre railway will enable Botswana to improve its trade links and import more than five million cubic metres of fuel every year.

Mozambique's transport and communications minister Paulo Zucula was reported by the news provider as saying the railway line, as well as a proposed deep water port in the same area of the coastal nation, will enable Botswana to transport more coal.

"It is important to note that, after construction of the port, the private sector will be called up to build container and fuel terminals," Mr Zucula added.

This comes just days after Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique revealed that Salcef Costruzioni Edili e Ferroviarie proposed plans for an electric railway to the Mozambique government.

Bloomberg reported that this will link the capital Maputo to local towns. 

Category: Transport