Mozambique’s strategic ambitions for enhancing trade facilitation and fostering regional integration received a significant boost with the announcement of a $50 million logistics terminal developed by Corredor Logístico de Maputo (CLM). This new state-of-the-art facility, which is already operational, is poised to address chronic congestion at crucial border posts and substantially reduce logistics costs for cargo transiting through Maputo Province.
Strategically located to alleviate pressure points at border crossings such as Namaacha, Goba, and Ressano Garcia, the terminal features an impressive warehousing capacity of over 50,000 tonnes along with 10,000 square metres of open-air storage. This makes it one of the most robust dry port infrastructures in Southern Africa, enabling more efficient cargo handling and storage in a region that has long struggled with logistical challenges.
The integration of services at the terminal is designed to significantly alleviate border bottlenecks. Clávio Macuácua, the Chairman of CLM, emphasized the transformative impact of the facility on cargo throughput and customs processing times. “The additional capacity will not only enhance the flow of goods in transit but will also relieve pressure at border posts, where trucks experience delays exceeding five hours due to cumbersome customs procedures,” Macuácua explained.
Incorporated within the terminal are offices for officials from the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT), Kudumba MC-Net, the National Migration Service (SENAMI), customs brokers, and freight forwarders. This colocation fosters seamless coordination and communication among stakeholders, leading to expedited clearance processes, reduced delays, and improved operational efficiency.
Regarding cost efficiency, CLM’s long-term strategy encompasses the development of a comprehensive dry port system aimed at further enhancing Mozambique’s logistics corridors and facilitating cabotage services. This initiative has the potential to lower the cost of living by as much as 40%, largely due to the improved affordability of cargo movement across the region. As demand continues to rise, CLM has also announced plans to construct an additional 22,000 square metres of warehouse space, which is critical for attracting more cargo traffic through the Port of Maputo—an essential transit hub that has historically lost out on transit business due to inadequate inland customs facilities.
In a complementary initiative, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is contemplating a substantial investment of 1.8 billion meticais (approximately $30 million) to upgrade the rail infrastructure linking the Port of Maputo with South Africa. This rail line serves as a vital transportation artery within the Maputo Development Corridor. The planned funding will facilitate the acquisition of new locomotives and wagons, along with necessary infrastructural improvements to the rail network. These upgrades are anticipated to bolster freight capacity, enhance safety measures, and drive down transport costs, thereby reinforcing the corridor’s competitiveness as a key export route in Southern Africa.
The combination of CLM’s advanced logistics terminal and prospective rail modernisation underscores a growing recognition of integrated transport infrastructure as a catalyst for economic competitiveness. With support from influential institutions such as the DBSA, Mozambique is strategically positioned to emerge as a logistics powerhouse, thereby accelerating regional trade, bolstering local industry, and unlocking significant employment opportunities and economic development.
As Mozambique continues its commitment to investing in multi-modal transport infrastructure, these recent developments signal a robust momentum towards creating a seamless, cost-effective, and trade-friendly environment, not only enhancing Mozambique’s economic landscape but also positively impacting the broader Southern African region.
