The government is seeking private partners to introduce a fully electric, high-capacity, trackless public transport system in the Greater Maputo Area, aiming to ease mobility challenges in the capital.
According to Lusa, the initiative involves a tender for the design, supply, implementation, operation, and transfer of an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system. The call for expressions of interest was published on Wednesday, April 8, by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, inviting “qualified companies, firms, or consortia” to participate.
The proposed ART network will consist of three lines, with a total length of approximately 52 kilometres: Line 1 (Maputo–Zimpeto, including a branch to the airport), Line 2 (Maputo–Matola), and Line 3 (along Avenida 24 de Julho, an urban route).
The tender is open until May 13 and, at this stage, covers detailed design, supply of rolling stock and technological systems, infrastructure construction, system implementation, initial operation, and eventual transfer to the government. Under this model, the private partner will also operate the system.
The government noted that preliminary studies have already identified priority corridors, the indicative network layout, and the technological concept of the ART system. The selected entity will be responsible for detailed engineering design, system implementation, initial operation, and its eventual transfer to the state.
The initiative is driven by rapid population growth in the Greater Maputo Area, now home to around two million people, alongside a sharp increase in motorised vehicles and worsening traffic congestion.
Authorities argue that traditional solutions based on expanding road infrastructure are limited by the lack of available urban space and high investment costs.
In this context, the government aims to introduce an innovative, fully electric, high-capacity, trackless public transport solution capable of operating efficiently within existing road corridors while minimising environmental and social impacts.
Prequalification criteria for the tender include the overall experience of the company or consortium and proven expertise in implementing or participating in similar projects.
Source: Diário Económico
