Rubina Normahomed, Director of Central Road Maintenance and Safety Services at the National Roads Administration (ANE), announced on Tuesday, 1 July, during a seminar held on the sidelines of the 61st edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM 2026), that a national road intervention programme valued at $2.6 billion and covering 3,183 kilometres will be launched in April next year.
The initiative aims to increase the proportion of paved roads from the current 28% to 38% by 2031, across a national network of approximately 30,000 kilometres. The objective forms part of the Accelerated National Road Rehabilitation and Construction Project 2026–31, known as ‘Mais Estradas – 2031’, launched by the government to improve road connectivity across the country.
Despite the planned investment, 72% of the national road network remains unpaved, constraining the movement of people and goods and limiting links between production zones and markets. Expanding the paved network is therefore one of the programme’s central targets.
Of the estimated $2.6 billion in financing, $1 billion has already been secured. That amount represents part of the resources required to carry out the works, while mobilisation of the remaining funding is expected to proceed in parallel with programme implementation.
The interventions are set to cover several regions of the country, with emphasis on Nampula, Zambézia, and Niassa. Data previously published by ANE indicate that works are planned across all provinces, including 951 kilometres in the north, 953 kilometres in the centre, and 706 kilometres in the south.
Preparatory work is currently under way, with contractor procurement expected to be completed by December. Construction is due to begin in April 2027, following the conclusion of preparatory stages and contracting procedures.
Beyond improving road passability, the programme aims to strengthen links between production zones and key markets, reduce logistics and transport costs, and support broader economic activity. It also includes measures to improve road infrastructure resilience against flooding, erosion, and cyclones.
The push to expand the paved network comes against a backdrop of frequent road damage caused by extreme weather events. During the 2025–26 rainy season alone, 9,522 kilometres of roads, 51 bridges, and 237 aqueducts were affected, placing further pressure on the network’s maintenance capacity.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=536276
