SPEECH BY

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF

ZIMBABWE,

HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA

AT THE LAYING OF THE FIRST STONE FOR

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NHAMATANDA

AND MESSICA PUMPING PLATFORMS,

MOZAMBIQUE

2 SEPTEMBER 2026

Your Excellency and Dear Brother, Cde. D. F. Chapo, the President of the Republic of Mozambique;

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mozambique,

Hon. Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas;

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Prof. A. Murwira;

Honourable Ministers;

Senior Government Officials;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I wish to express my gratitude to you, your Excellency and Dear Brother, Cde Daniel Chapo, the people and Government of Mozambique, for inviting me to witness this important event.

Your gesture is a testament to the excellent and longstanding relations between our two sister Republics, and shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

I also, wish to thank you all for the warm reception and gracious hospitality accorded to me and my delegation since our arrival, we feel at home.

Today’s laying of this first stone for the Nhamatanda and Messica pumping platforms is a timely and significant milestone for both Mozambique and Zimbabwe, as well as the SADC region as a whole.

It is, therefore, a privilege that we launch this high-impact infrastructure project together. This reflects our unbreakable bonds and the enduring strength of the solidarity and economic cooperation between our two Republics.

Today’s event places a new layer on the foundations set by our forebears, which must see accelerated development, modernisation, industrialisation and an improved quality of life for our peoples. Zimbabwe is ready to play its part.

Your Excellency;

This project is of strategic importance as it will increase the capacity and efficiency of the Beira-Feruka fuel pipeline, an economic artery connecting the Port of Beira to Zimbabwe through our regional transport and trade networks.

The raised pumping capacity envisaged from this infrastructure, upon completion, from approximately 3 million to 5 million cubic metres per year will have far reaching benefits to the economies of our countries and the region. Energy self-sufficiency of our region along with enhanced efficiency and reliability of this critical fuel supply route is of great importance, more-so in times of supply chain disruptions, occasioned by geo-political tensions and conflicts.

My Government has placed energy security at the centre of Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic transformation, industrialisation and modernisation.

Secure and efficient fuel supply is essential for the sustained growth, production and productivity of our agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transport, and construction sectors.

As such, this expanded capacity will contribute to the growth of our economy, which continues to generate increased demand for reliable, secure and sustainable energy supplies.

We, welcome the prospects of this initiative which will go a long way to ease bottlenecks along the fuel supply chain, including strengthening our positions as reliable trading and logistics partners in the region.

It also underscores the pivotal role of the Beira Corridor as a lifeblood for regional commerce. The new infrastructure will, thus, guarantee that this corridor remains a central enabler for the speedy realisation of the SADC integration and industrialization agenda and indeed, the African continent, as a whole.

We recognise that growth of this magnitude carries an obligation. To this end, I am certain that, as Mozambique expands this vital petroleum infrastructure, contractors will ensure that the highest standards of safety and environmental protection are adhered to at every phase of construction and operation. Communities, ecosystems and water resources along this corridor should be protected, for posterity.

Zimbabwe is ready and committed to work with Mozambique to promote, share and shoulder this responsibility for collective socio-economic development.

Your Excellency and Distinguished Guests;

In concluding, I wish to reiterate that the laying of this first stone marks an important milestone in the enduring cooperation between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This relationship is rooted in our shared rich liberation history and heritage, and stands as testament of what neighbours can achieve by working together.

Your Excellency, be assured that my Administration is always ready to implement and bring to fruition the various aspects of our cooperation, for the benefit of our two economies and peoples.

Long live the friendship and solidarity between

Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Long live regional cooperation and continental

integration.

Muito Obrigado.

I thank you.