The presidents of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Daniel Chapo and Emmerson Mnangagwa, attended a ceremony on Wednesday, 2 July, in Nhamatanda, Sofala province, to formally launch the second phase of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe Pipeline Company (CPMZ). The project envisages expanding the Beira-Feruka pipeline to meet growing fuel demand across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The modernisation programme is expected to raise annual pumping capacity from three million to five million cubic metres by end-2027. The expansion will be coordinated with the PetroZim pipeline, with the aim of strengthening fuel supply and energy security in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and neighbouring countries including Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To achieve the capacity increase, two new pumping stations will be constructed — one in Nhamatanda, Sofala province, and another in Messica, Manica province. The new infrastructure is expected to raise the Beira-Feruka pipeline’s annual transport capacity by 67%, helping to meet rising regional demand for diesel, petrol, and aviation kerosene.
Stretching 294 kilometres, the Beira-Feruka pipeline is a critical component of the Beira Corridor, linking the Port of Beira to Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African interior. The participation of both heads of state in the launch ceremony underscores the strength of bilateral ties between Mozambique and Zimbabwe and both countries’ commitment to strategic energy infrastructure development.
The strategic importance of the pipeline also extends to its operational continuity. CPMZ operates around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, supported by a specialised technical team. The investment represents a commitment to energy security, trade, logistics, and economic growth, while simultaneously reinforcing the strategic role of the Port of Beira and the Beira Corridor.
The expansion also encompasses longer-term prospects, including the construction of a larger-diameter pipeline and a possible extension towards Zambia’s Copperbelt. These options could enable Mozambique to strengthen its position as a fuel supplier to Southern Africa, leveraging its geographic advantage as a gateway to the region’s landlocked economies.
Beyond its energy and economic dimensions, the ceremony is expected to further consolidate the long-standing bilateral relationship between Mozambique and Zimbabwe — ties that date to the liberation struggle era, during which Maputo played a pivotal role in supporting Zimbabwe’s independence campaign. That relationship today extends to cooperation on energy security and regional infrastructure.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/02/oilgas/governos-de-mocambique-e-do-zimbabue-lancam-segunda-fase-da-modernizacao-da-cpmz/
