19 Apr 2022

Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have renewed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) on the Ponta Techobanine Project due to the slow progress made in its implementation.

  The three countries’ ministers met in Gaborone recently to renew the tripartite MoU, first signed in Maputo, Mozambique 11 years ago.

Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo signed on behalf of Botswana,  Mr Janfar Abdulai represented Mozambique while Zimbabwe was represented by Mr Michael Madiro.

  The project, which will result in the establishment of an international trade route linking Botswana and Zimbabwe to the eastern markets through Mozambique,  was initially supposed to be private sector-driven, but, the sector has been slow in making progress.

 Viewed as a vital corridor that will present participating countries with economic opportunities and given its potential to unlock regional integration, the three ministers therefore agreed to see to it that all decisions from the joint ministerial meetings were implemented.

Speaking at the signing, Mr Segokgo noted the slow progress made in implementing the tripartite MoU and stressed the importance  of honouring agreements.

He said governments were required to take the lead in the project by co-financing a feasibility study and encouraging the private sector to participate. 

The Ponta Techobanine Project will comprise a modern, high speed, heavy haul railway network from a new deep sea port at Mozambique’s Ponta Techobanine through Zimbabwe into Botswana. ends