Chinese consortium to manage Machipanda border for 25 years

A Chinese consortium has been awarded a 25-year concession to manage and modernise the Machipanda One-Stop Border Post between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with the project expected to improve traffic flow and strengthen trade along the Beira Corridor.

According to Decree No. 53/2026 of Mozambique's Council of Ministers, the concession has been awarded to Terminal Internacional Rodoviário de Machipanda, a company established by the Union Portlink and Zhongmei consortium together with Mozambique's Roads Fund.

The concession covers an area of 88.96 hectares at the Machipanda border crossing in Manica Province.

The agreement is being implemented as a public-private partnership covering the construction, operation, maintenance and management of the Integrated Machipanda Border Modernisation and Expansion Project before the infrastructure is eventually handed back to the Mozambican Government.

The Council of Ministers approved the concession terms following a decision taken on July 28.

The project is expected to require an estimated US$30 million investment.

According to Mozambican authorities, the Roads Fund will hold a 15 percent stake in the company implementing the project, while 10 percent of the shareholding will be reserved for local businesses in Manica Province.

The Government says the modernisation is intended to reduce waiting times at the border, lower logistics costs and improve the competitiveness of the Beira Corridor, a key trade route linking Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries to Mozambique's port of Beira.

The planned works include the modernisation and expansion of the Machipanda international road terminal and construction of a new tourist border facility to accommodate immigration and other public services.

Road infrastructure around the border will also be upgraded, including an increase in traffic lanes and the construction of two new bridges over the Machipanda River to provide access to the cargo terminal.

The project will also introduce measures aimed at improving the movement and management of trucks passing through the border.

The concessionaire will be required to install electronic surveillance infrastructure, including monitoring cameras and smart barriers.

It will also work with Mozambican and Zimbabwean authorities to integrate border-management systems in an effort to facilitate customs clearance and the movement of travellers.

The development will include accommodation and support facilities for public employees working at the border. These will include dormitories, a meeting room, dining facilities, a gymnasium and a multi-purpose sports field.

The Government has also said the project is expected to create around 700 direct jobs, with approximately 500 positions during the construction phase and 200 during operations.

The concession includes permission for the company to provide services such as goods reception, truck parking and storage, cargo handling, weighing, inspection and logistics.

The operator will also be able to develop complementary services including retail outlets, offices, catering and other facilities serving travellers and businesses using the border post.

Additional infrastructure to support the border's operations will include water, electricity, telecommunications, drainage, lighting, security and waste-management systems.

The project also provides for a corporate social responsibility programme intended to generate direct benefits for communities in the surrounding area once operations commence.