The government plans to invest $2.6 billion in the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 3,000 kilometers of national roads by 2031. The announcement was made on Monday (27) by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe.
The announcement was made during the launch of a seminar to promote the 2026-2031 National Accelerated Road Rehabilitation and Construction Program, called “More Roads,” an initiative aimed at addressing the main structural challenges of the country’s road network.
According to João Matlombe, Mozambique currently has a road network of 30,831 kilometers, of which 22,349 are unpaved, accounting for 72.5%. This situation, he stated, “seriously compromises the population’s mobility, agricultural transport, and territorial integration.”
“It is precisely to address these challenges that the government decided to launch the 2026–2031 National Accelerated Road Rehabilitation and Construction Program,” the minister stated, emphasizing that the initiative calls for improvements to more than 3,000 kilometers of roads across all the country’s provinces, with an estimated investment of $2.6 billion.
In terms of distribution, 951 kilometers of roads will be upgraded in the northern provinces, specifically Niassa, Cabo Delgado, and Nampula. In the central regions—Zambézia, Manica, Tete, and Sofala—work is planned on 953 kilometers of roads.
In the south of the country, covering Gaza, Inhambane, as well as the city and province of Maputo, the program includes the modernization of 706 kilometers of roads, with the aim of improving connections between different parts of the country.
“By the end of the five-year implementation of the ‘Mais Estradas’ program, the proportion of paved roads is expected to increase from 22.5% to approximately 37.8%,” stated João Matlombe, noting that this represents a significant leap in the quality of the road network and the development of logistics corridors.
The minister also highlighted that the program is expected to enhance mobility, territorial cohesion, and national connectivity, with climate resilience measures also planned to increase the roads’ resistance to flooding, erosion, and cyclones.
With the implementation of “Mais Estradas,” the government aims to reduce logistics costs and the price of freight transport, contributing to increased economic competitiveness. The program is also expected to generate jobs, attract investment, and drive sustainable growth in the medium and long term.
“We are aware of the challenges faced daily on our roads and want to reiterate that we must not falter in the face of adversity,” said João Matlombe. The minister also called on the National Roads Administration to step up the fight against corruption, ensure the quality of construction projects, and “think outside the box” in the search for resilient, low-cost solutions.
Source: Lusa
