Botswana dares expand horizon
17 Jul 2024
If words could weave reality and smoke herald fire, then landlocked Botswana might one day find itself gazing upon the vast expanse of the sea.
In this imagined tomorrow, which looks set to be some kind of reality with a twist, Botswana’s horizon stretches beyond its current borders, embracing the boundless possibilities of maritime offerings.
On the contrary, there is no doubt that Botswana’s current lack of access to the sea has a direct negative impact on trade, connectivity .and development.
Such derives from the fact that being landlocked undermines Botswana’s ability to grow her economy.
To offset this, the country has joined forces with Mozambique and Zimbabwe by signing a tripartite agreement to develop infrastructure that facilitates sea-bound traffic and improves logistical advantages for Botswana, historically lacking direct access to the sea.
Given that the sea enhances the value proposition of any country that is determined largely by its competitiveness and the convenience of its sea transport to consumers and industries, such is the vision of a country that has dared to dream beyond its geographical confines.
The ambitious Techobanine Deep Water Port and Railway line initiated by the three countries is estimated to cost US$6.5 billion, that is about P87,667 billion.
The project holds the potential to unlock economic activities and transformation of trade infrastructure in Southern Africa as well as enhancing transport logistics for the SADC region.
Following a tripartite summit between Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe that was held in Maputo recently, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi sees light at the end of the tunnel on the possibilities of Botswana being sea-linked.
President Masisi, though speaking in jest, somehow got the audience intrigued when he announced to a packed meeting in Mozambique that Botswana will also join the International Maritime Organisation because he has started preaching to the world that there is a port coming with a rail to it.
“We are now sea linked and may even consider investigating the procurement of vessels in future,” he said.
The project is expected to be a springboard of opportunities for the SADC region that is endowed with mining activities beneficial to the three-lateral countries especially for energy transition.
The route will also serve as a conduit for moving huge consignments through the sea transport and decongest South Africa’s busiest ports by connecting eastern Botswana to Mozambique’s ports and also providing an alternative trade route for the three countries, thus further boosting regional connectivity.
Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi said the port project would contribute significantly to the trade facilitation and free movement of persons and goods as enshrined in the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communication and Meteorology.
“The project further presents possibility for the convergence of the Cape route and the Indian Ocean route opening the region to the international market while facilitating the logistics of the entry of necessary imports,” he reckoned.
He indicated that the Techobanine deep water was also an opportunity for providing greater efficiency due to the speed, volume, and reduced costs of delays in delivery of goods.
“This reaffirms Mozambique as an unavoidable route to sea link her neighbours though rail and port infrastructure that will contribute to booming economic activities,” he said.
To that effect, President Nyusi sees the project as a positive investment that will reduce environmental pollution by diverting huge haulage traffic using cargo ship.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed his country’s readiness to fulfill its obligation as an expression of committing to the ground breaking trilateral project.
At the meeting, the three Presidents agreed that an urgent follow-up meeting be convened before the SADC summit scheduled for Zimbabwe next month , August.
Furthermore, they tasked ministries of the three countries to provide an implementation strategy of the project and timelines for the feasibility study that would be undertaken to guide investors on the viability of the project planned to be executed through Public Private Partnerships and concessional funding. The project comprises a 20-metre deep port, strategically located on the international shipping routes, railways and roads connecting the landlocked countries especially Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Its scope includes facilitating bulk cargo movement within the SADC bloc and linking it to international markets.
The project started off as a private sector-led effort since 2011, but has since stalled due to some constraints and lack of funding. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Mmoniemang Motsamai
Location : MAPUTO
Event : Tripartite Agreement
Date : 17 Jul 2024