Zimbabwe, Mozambique Unveil Beira-Harare Pipeline Deal: 67% Capacity Boost

• Zimbabwe and Mozambique announced a 67% capacity expansion for the Beira-Harare fuel pipeline.
• The CPMZ pipeline's annual transport capacity will increase from three million to five million cubic meters by late 2027.
• This upgrade will allow an additional two billion liters of fuel to be transported annually, benefiting six Southern African nations.
• The project includes new pumping stations and will be synchronized with the Petrozim Line expansion, without disrupting current fuel supplies.
• Long-term plans include a larger pipeline to meet regional demand until 2050 and a potential extension into Zambia's Copperbelt.

This significant upgrade is poised to enhance fuel supply stability and capacity across Southern Africa, reinforcing Mozambique's pivotal role as a strategic gateway for regional trade and deepening cooperation with Zimbabwe.

Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Daniel Chapo of Mozambique recently unveiled a substantial initiative to bolster the Beira-Harare fuel corridor. This collaborative effort centers on a significant expansion of the CPMZ pipeline, projected to boost its transport capacity by an impressive 67%. The annual throughput of the pipeline is set to increase from three million to five million cubic meters, a target anticipated to be achieved by the close of 2027.

This upgrade is designed to facilitate the annual transport of an additional two billion liters of fuel. The benefits of this enhanced capacity are expected to extend beyond the immediate borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, reaching neighboring regional markets including Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 294-kilometer CPMZ pipeline, which connects the Port of Beira in Mozambique to Feruka in Zimbabwe, serves as a crucial artery for fuel distribution to several landlocked countries in the region.

This latest development builds upon a previous upgrade completed in 2024, which saw the pipeline's annual capacity already increase from two million to three million cubic meters. The continuous investment underscores the strategic importance of this infrastructure for regional energy security.

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo emphasized the project's significance as a critical investment in both regional energy security infrastructure and Mozambique's own national infrastructure. He highlighted how strengthening the connection between the Port of Beira and the Southern African hinterland reinforces Mozambique's position as a strategic gateway for regional trade, simultaneously deepening cooperation with Zimbabwe. Such infrastructure investments, he noted, are vital for fostering economic growth and enhancing the region's overall resilience.

Echoing these sentiments, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa affirmed the long-term advantages this expansion will bring to Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African region. He stated that a more robust Beira-Harare corridor would not only support Zimbabwe's energy security but also create greater capacity to serve markets beyond its national borders. This initiative, he added, exemplifies the achievements possible through Mozambique and Zimbabwe's cooperation on infrastructure projects of shared regional importance. António Laice, Chairman of the Board of Directors, further underscored that this project adds substantial capacity to one of the region's most important fuel routes without disrupting ongoing supplies. He characterized it as an investment not merely in pipeline infrastructure, but in regional trade, industrial activity, and the long-term reliability of Southern Africa's fuel supply network. This significant upgrade is poised to enhance fuel supply stability and capacity across Southern Africa, reinforcing Mozambique's pivotal role as a strategic gateway for regional trade and deepening cooperation with Zimbabwe.

The physical implementation of this expansion will involve the construction of new pumping stations strategically located at Nhamatanda in Sofala Province and Messica in Manica Province. Crucially, authorities have confirmed that the construction and commissioning processes will be meticulously managed to avoid any disruption to existing pipeline operations or current fuel supplies, ensuring continuous service to the region.

This project is also being synchronized with the planned expansion of the Petrozim Line, which runs between Feruka and Harare. This coordinated development aims to establish a higher-capacity fuel route extending from the Mozambican coast deep into the Southern African hinterland. Beyond the immediate expansion, further ambitious plans are under consideration, including the eventual replacement of the existing pipeline with a larger-diameter line. This proposed upgrade is envisioned to transport approximately 12 million cubic meters annually, a capacity projected to meet regional fuel demand through to 2050.

Moreover, discussions are also underway regarding potential extensions to the Harare-Lusaka fuel route, aiming to reach Zambia's Copperbelt. These comprehensive developments are expected to solidify the Beira corridor's standing as a preeminent strategic gateway for fuel imports into Zimbabwe and other landlocked Southern African markets, significantly enhancing the regional fuel distribution network.

Lawyers advising clients in the energy, logistics, or trade sectors across Southern Africa should note the enhanced fuel supply stability and capacity. This development could impact supply chain planning, operational costs, and investment opportunities for businesses reliant on fuel imports or transport in the region.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe