Mozambique and Botswana agree on closer ties – Watch

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique and Botswana agree on closer ties – Watch

5:25 CAT | 31 Mar 2025

Photo: AIM

Mozambique and Botswana have signed agreements on closer economic ties between the two countries, including on rail and port connections, the petroleum industry and integrated tourism.

Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, on a three day visit to Mozambique, on Friday visited the northern port of Nacala, which is regarded as the best natural deep water port on the east African coast.

He was impresed with the size of the port, located in the south of the Bay of Bengo, with an access channel 800 metres wide, and 60 metres deep, creating exceptional conditions of navigability, allowing ships of any size to enter or leave the port 24 hours a day.

Boko recalled the historic relations that have linked the two countries for decades and stressed that the new generation of leaders should work to achieve economic independence.

“We are developing infrastructures and corridors that link the two countries”, he said. “On the Botswanan side we are building world class railways, to stimulate industry, business and the economy. With Mozambique we are focusing our collective attention to ensure that the railway has the same quality in the three countries (Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and the necessary investment so that business can flow normally”.

Boko also stressed the importance of air traffic. The journey time between Maputo and Gaborone was no more than 55 minutes, and he believed this would prove very attractive for tourism.

“We had good talks and we are interested in expanding cooperation and maintaining permanent contacts to conclude these projects as quickly as possible, and with the involvement of the private sector of the two countries”, said the Botswanan leader.

Chapo stressed the tripartite agreement to develop a new mineral port at Techobanine in the southernmost Mozambican district of Matutuine, which will be linked by rail to Botswana and Zimbabwe.

“This agreement, signed in Maputo in 2024, is now our responsibility”, he said. Chapo added that new fuel tanks should be installed in the port of Maputo, to increase the capacity to supply Botswana with liquid fuels.