Mozambique and Zambia are set to sign a groundbreaking agreement for the construction of a US$1.5 billion (€1.3 billion) petroleum products pipeline, marking a significant step forward in regional energy infrastructure and economic cooperation. The announcement was made by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo during the opening of the 11th Mozambique Mining and Energy Conference (MMEC) in Maputo.
The ambitious project will see the development of a fuel pipeline linking the Mozambican port city of Beira, located in the central region of the country, with Ndola, Zambia’s industrial hub and largest city in the Copperbelt Province. The pipeline will have an annual transport capacity of 3.5 million metric tons of petroleum products, dramatically reducing the number of fuel tankers on regional roads. This not only improves road safety and reduces traffic congestion but also lowers carbon emissions associated with road transport.
President Chapo emphasized the strategic importance of the pipeline, highlighting how it will strengthen bilateral relations and foster economic growth by ensuring a more reliable and cost-effective fuel supply to Zambia, a landlocked country that currently relies heavily on fuel transported by road.
“This pipeline will allow the efficient and safe transport of petroleum products to the Zambian market, thereby reducing the circulation of trucks on our roads,” Chapo said. “It’s a strategic investment that will benefit both nations and reflect our commitment to regional integration and sustainable development.”
In addition to the pipeline, the project includes the construction of modern fuel storage facilities in both Beira and Ndola, enabling improved fuel handling, storage, and distribution capacity. This infrastructure is expected to create employment opportunities during the construction and operational phases, supporting local economies in both countries.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will take place on the sidelines of the MMEC, a major industry event attracting regional leaders, policymakers, investors, and energy experts. The conference serves as a platform to showcase Mozambique’s growing role in the regional energy and mining sectors and to promote investment in strategic infrastructure projects.
President Chapo noted that this initiative is part of broader efforts to attract private sector investment and enhance the credibility, stability, and reform-driven governance environment in Mozambique. “These milestones reflect not only the robustness of our reserves but also the environment of credibility, security, and reform that we are consolidating in attracting the private sector to boost our economy,” he added.
The Mozambique-Zambia pipeline project is expected to play a critical role in regional trade, logistics, and energy security, contributing to more resilient and interconnected economies across Southern Africa.
