The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will provide $10.4 million for the reconstruction of the Natete bridge in Ribáue district, Nampula province, in northern Mozambique.
The financing was formalised through the signing of a notes exchange agreement between Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria Manso, and JICA’s Deputy Representative in Mozambique, Takahashi Sulimara.
According to Sulimara, the agreement reflects the “strong friendship and cooperation” between the two countries, built over several decades and grounded in shared values of sustainable development, prosperity, and well-being.
The signing follows discussions and outcomes from the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which reaffirmed the importance of the Nacala Corridor in improving regional connectivity and logistical efficiency.
The JICA representative stated that the initiative reflects the “joint commitment” of Mozambique and Japan to strengthen regional connectivity, facilitate trade, and develop more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
The project scope includes construction of the bridge, improvement of access roads, and riverbank protection works. The new crossing is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods, increase resilience to the effects of climate change, and reinforce the economic integration of the region.
Secretary of State Maria Manso explained that the bridge will replace the structure built in 2014 — also with Japanese support — which was damaged following a series of extreme weather events.
According to Manso, the new structure will be more resilient and will be located outside flood-prone zones, at a time when such events have become increasingly frequent across Mozambique.
As part of the bilateral cooperation agenda, a separate agreement worth $1.6 million was also signed for the Japan-funded Scholarship Programme for Human Resource Development (JDS), aimed at supporting postgraduate training for 40 Mozambican civil servants. The programme has already trained approximately 20 government officials.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/31/negocios/infra-estruturas/nampula-jica-disponibiliza-mais-de-10-m-para-reconstrucao-da-ponte-de-natete/
