The governments of Mozambique and Malawi intend to invest in the implementation of one-stop border posts to increase the flow of trade along the corridors that connect both countries.
The World Bank-funded initiative will be carried out as part of the ‘Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project’ and is valued at 380 million dollars (24 billion meticals).
To this end, Mozambique’s high commissioner to Malawi, Alexandre Manjate, and his Malawian counterpart, Wezi Moyo, signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday 12 March, following visits to the borders between Mwanza-Zóbuè and Dedza-Calómue.
Quoted by Radio Moçambique, the consultant for the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project, Domingos Diogo, said that the visit was important to ensure that the countries align their efforts so that trade activities are consistent and relevant.
‘As part of the initiative, Malawi will rehabilitate the 47-kilometre Liwonde-Matawale road to connect the Chiponde border crossing in Mangochi, which connects to Niassa province,’ he explained.
The official emphasised that the country will rebuild the Blantyre-Zomba road, acquire drones that the Malawi Revenue Authority will use to monitor smuggling and speed up the clearance of goods.
