Zambia advocating for missing connections along Nacala Corridor
By Chamwe Kaira
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to develop the missing railway links along the Nacala Corridor, aiming to provide a comprehensive range of transportation options for improved regional connectivity.
The Nacala Logistics Corridor encompasses various regions in Southeast Africa and involves the establishment and management of railways, highways, ports, and airports. These infrastructure elements directly serve Mozambique and Malawi, with indirect connectivity to Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Nacala Railway, a 912 KM railway line situated in northern Mozambique, passes through central Malawi and links to coal mines in northwest Mozambique, forming an integral part of the Nacala Logistics Corridor.
On October 7th, Hichilema joined President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique and President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi in inaugurating the upgraded and expanded Port of Nacala. Additionally, they signed agreements related to the Nacala Corridor Development, solidifying their commitment to regional development.
This year, Hichilema has been actively involved in the opening of the Lobito Corridor in Angola in July and the Zambia-DRC gateway just last week.
During this event, Hichilema, Nyusi, and Chakwera signed a tripartite institutional agreement regarding the Nacala Development Corridor. Furthermore, the respective transport ministers of the three countries signed agreements pertaining to road and rail infrastructure.
Hichilema emphasized, “As we open up land-linked Zambia to increased investments across all sectors, it is essential to establish alternative and shorter routes to the seaports for our imports and exports, ultimately boosting trade volumes.”
The modernised Port of Nacala is expected to foster closer cooperation between Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. President Chakwera highlighted the significance of this development, stating that it will not only enhance cooperation but also remove longstanding trade barriers.
Chakwera emphasized that the improved port facility will address Malawi’s immediate needs in dealing with congestion, reducing turnaround times, and lowering import costs, particularly for critical commodities such as fertilizer, fuel, and medicines.
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the investment made at Nacala will reduce load handling times and increase its production and productivity. He said Mozambique expects the port to translate into investments in a more competitive environment that increases the three countries productive capabilities.
The Port of Nacala is the shortest and most cost-effective route for Malawi to transport strategic goods such as fertilizer, fuel, pharmaceuticals, grains, and various fast-moving consumer goods. This improvement will significantly enhance Malawi’s trade competitiveness and contribute to economic growth.
Moreover, the Nacala Corridor’s development will enhance internet connectivity, potentially leading to lower data charges. Malawi plans to establish direct connectivity to the 45,000 km-long submarine cable set to land at Nacala from Europe and India.
The rehabilitation of the Port of Nacala, funded by the Japanese Development Agency (JICA), amounted to approximately US$277.5 million. This initiative will boost cargo handling capacity from 100,000 to 250,000 20-foot containers per year, along with an increase in storage capacity from 5,000 to 8,000. The port will also accommodate larger vessels, with berthing capacity increasing from 60,000 to 80,000 tons, while quayside equipment’s maximum capacity will reach 50 containers per hour.