Chinese consortium to manage, modernise and expand Machipanda border post between Mozambique and Zimbabwe

A Chinese consortium will take over, for 25 years, the concession to manage the Machipanda One-Stop Border Post, with the Government saying it will modernise and expand what is one of the main border crossings between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

According to Decree No. 53/2026 of the Council of Ministers, the concession was awarded to the commercial company Terminal Internacional Rodoviário de Machipanda, established by the Union Portlink and Zhongmei consortium and by the Roads Fund, FP, covering an area of 88.96 hectares at the border crossing in Manica province, central Mozambique.

The decree establishes the legal basis for the concession, under a public-private partnership, for the construction, operation, maintenance and management, and subsequent handover to the State, of the infrastructure of the Integrated Machipanda Border Modernisation and Expansion Project.

Approval of the terms of the concession confirms the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on 28 July, when the body’s spokesperson explained at the end of the meeting that the decree “establishes the legal basis for granting a concession to a private operator” for the “construction, operation, maintenance, management and handover to the State of the infrastructure of the integrated Machipanda border modernisation and expansion project”.

According to Impissa, the project involves an estimated investment of around US$30 million (€26.3 million). He added that the agreement also guarantees a 15% stake for the Mozambican State, through the Roads Fund, in the share capital of the company that will implement the project, as well as a 10% stake reserved for local businesses in Manica province.

Salim Valá added that the concession is expected to help reduce waiting times at the border crossing, lower logistics costs and increase the competitiveness of the Beira Corridor, one of the main regional trade routes.

The planned works include the modernisation and expansion of the Machipanda international road terminal, the construction from scratch of a tourist border crossing to accommodate the public services involved in migration procedures, and improvements to traffic conditions in the border area.

The project also includes the construction of housing for public employees assigned to border services, including dormitories, a meeting room, dining hall, gym and multi-purpose sports field.

According to the decree, an expansion of road capacity at the border is also planned, with an increase in the number of traffic lanes and the construction of two new bridges over the Machipanda River providing access to the cargo terminal, as well as measures aimed at improving the flow and efficiency of truck management.

The concessionaire will also be required to install electronic surveillance systems, including monitoring cameras and smart barriers, and to cooperate in integrating the systems of the Mozambican and Zimbabwean authorities to facilitate customs clearance and migration movements.

The contract also provides for measures aimed at generating direct benefits for local communities, with a corporate social responsibility plan to be defined after operations begin. The Government previously indicated that the project is also expected to create around 700 direct jobs, of which 500 will be during the construction phase and 200 during the operational phase.

Under the special licence associated with the concession, the company may develop services related to the reception, parking and storage of goods, cargo handling, weighing, inspection and logistics services, as well as operate complementary activities including retail, offices, catering and other support services for border users.

The document also authorises the concessionaire to build and manage support infrastructure, including water, electricity, telecommunications, drainage, lighting, security and waste-management networks, as well as other works necessary for the operation of the border post.

Source: Lusa

Source: Chinese consortium to manage, modernise and expand Machipanda border post between Mozambique and Zimbabwe

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