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Construction of the Machipanda One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) along Mozambique’s National Road No. 6 (N6) is set to begin in October, marking a major step toward improving cross-border trade and transport in Southern Africa. The project, valued at US$37.2 million, will be financed by the Mozambican government and its development partners. According to Manica Provincial Director of Transport and Logistics Izidine Opressa, the funding required for the project has already been secured, paving the way for construction to start as planned.
The new border post will be built in Manica Province and is expected to be completed within 30 months. It is designed to modernize one of Mozambique’s busiest logistics corridors by reducing border delays and improving customs procedures for goods moving between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The project will cover a total area of 55,500 square metres and will include three new bridges across the Machipanda River, as well as residential facilities for staff working at the border.
Machipanda is one of the country’s most important border crossings, serving as a key gateway for regional trade. Every day, more than 2,000 trucks pass through the border, carrying goods to and from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many of these cargo movements are linked to the Port of Beira, making the corridor a vital route for imports and exports across Southern Africa.
Despite its strategic importance, the border has long been affected by slow customs procedures that result in lengthy queues of trucks. In some cases, heavy goods vehicles line up for between 10 and 15 kilometres, with drivers waiting two or even three days to complete border formalities. During these delays, transport operators face increased operating costs, while drivers often have limited access to food, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Security has also become a growing concern along the corridor. Trucks parked in long queues are vulnerable to vandalism and cargo theft, particularly at night, resulting in financial losses for transport companies and disruptions to supply chains.
The planned One-Stop Border Post aims to solve many of these challenges by integrating the border services of Mozambique and Zimbabwe into a single facility. This approach will simplify inspections, reduce paperwork and allow customs and immigration authorities from both countries to process vehicles and cargo more efficiently. Faster clearance is expected to improve the flow of trade while reducing transport costs and transit times.
The project will include a 35,000-square-metre multimodal freight terminal equipped with warehouses, joint inspection facilities and dedicated areas for handling bulk cargo. In addition, an 18,500-square-metre passenger terminal will be developed to serve approximately 3,000 travelers each day, improving the overall border crossing experience for both commercial and passenger traffic.
The Machipanda One-Stop Border Post will be developed through a public-private partnership under a 30-year concession agreement. During this period, part of the revenue generated by the facility will be shared with the government before the infrastructure is transferred back to State ownership. The Road Fund will finance 15% of the total investment, while the Manica Provincial Government will contribute a further 10%. Once completed, the project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and support economic growth across the Southern African transport corridor.
