Mozambique has awarded a 25-year concession to two Chinese companies to build and operate a one-stop border post at Machipanda, a critical crossing linking the country to neighbouring Zimbabwe.
The contract was awarded to Union Portlink Capital and Zhongmei Engineering Group under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to Bloomberg's report. The Chinese firms will hold a 75% stake, while Mozambique's government will own 15% through its state road fund. Local businesspeople will hold the remaining 10%.
Construction is expected to begin in October at an estimated cost of $30 million, according to government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa.
Improving one of Southern Africa's busiest trade routes
Machipanda serves as one of the region's most important trade corridors, connecting Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries to the Port of Beira, Mozambique's second-largest seaport.
