Mozambique Targets Logistics Growth Through Port, Rail, and Road Upgrades to Become Southern Africa Trade Hub.
The Mozambican government has unveiled plans to increase the logistics sector’s contribution to the national economy from 8% to 20% by 2027, driven by significant investments in ports, rail, and road infrastructure.
Officials say Mozambique’s strategic location and transport corridors could make logistics a key driver of economic growth in the coming years.
Fernando Ouana, National Director of Logistics at the Ministry of Transport, said logistics is currently underutilized, despite Mozambique’s potential as a regional trade hub. “The contribution of logistics is at a minimum. We need to increase it, because the country can survive on logistics,” Ouana stated.
Maputo Corridor Upgrades
The Maputo Corridor, linking Mozambique with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, is central to the strategy. Investments of around US$2 billion are underway to expand the Port of Maputo, including container and coal terminal modernisation and a new railcar unloading system to reduce bottlenecks.
Work is also ongoing to strengthen the Ressano Garcia border crossing with South Africa, with plans for a one-stop border post integrating customs and immigration systems.
Upgrades to National Road 4 (N4) aim to alleviate truck congestion, while improvements to the railway line to Zimbabwe are intended to attract more freight from Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Beira Corridor Challenges
The Beira Corridor, serving Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, faces constraints despite modernization efforts.
The Port of Beira is upgrading terminals and acquiring new equipment, but fuel handling capacity remains limited, currently at three million cubic metres, with plans to expand to five million cubic metres.
Authorities are also exploring a new fuel pipeline from Beira to Harare to reduce reliance on tanker trucks, cut transport costs, and improve regional fuel supply.
Nacala Corridor Potential
In northern Mozambique, the Nacala Corridor features a modern port but has yet to reach its full potential due to limited rail integration. Ouana emphasized the need for better rail connections to Zambia and Malawi to attract consistent cargo volumes and transform Nacala into a regional logistics hub.
“Nacala can become a structuring hub for regional integration if we can extend the railway and attract consistent volumes of cargo from Zambia and Malawi,” Ouana said.
Strategic Vision
Mozambique’s logistics strategy focuses on its three main corridors – Maputo, Beira, and Nacala – to facilitate trade across Southern Africa.
By modernizing ports, improving border efficiency, and expanding rail and road networks, the government aims to position Mozambique as a competitive logistics gateway.
If successful, logistics could become a pillar of the national economy, contributing up to 20% of GDP by 2027 and enhancing regional integration across Southern Africa.
