I.A.M - Magazine - Page 54
The Nacala Road Corridor is
unlocking economic opportunities,
improving access to markets, and
connecting rural communities to
regional and global value chains.
In Southern Africa, where the flow of goods, people, and
opportunity increasingly hinges on the strength of regional
corridors, the Multinational Nacala Road Corridor Development Project – Phase IV is delivering more than just
infrastructure—it’s powering integration. This visionary
cross-border initiative connects Lusaka to the Port of
Nacala through Malawi and Mozambique, creating a vital
artery for landlocked countries seeking access to global
markets. It represents a strategic leap forward for trade,
competitiveness, and socioeconomic cohesion in the
region.
At its core, Phase IV focuses on three high-impact
interventions: rehabilitation of 75 kilometers of road
between Liwonde and Mangochi in Malawi, and the
construction of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) between
Malawi and its neighbors, Mozambique and Zambia. The
OSBP at Mwami, a key transit node on the Zambian side,
is being upgraded to international standards to ensure
faster, more efficient cross-border movement. The addition
of two permanent weighbridges at Mwami and Katete
future-proofs the corridor, ensuring the Great East Road’s
sustainability and protecting infrastructure investments for
years to come.
Simplifying Border Formalities,
This corridor is more than a highway; it is a lifeline for over
2 million people who live along its path. By reducing transport times, cutting operating costs, and simplifying border
formalities, the Nacala Road Corridor is unlocking
economic opportunities, improving access to markets, and
connecting rural communities to regional and global value
chains. Smallholder farmers in Malawi, traders in eastern
Zambia, and freight operators in Mozambique all stand to
benefit from faster turnaround times, smoother logistics,
and increased trade volumes. The project also weaves in
social inclusion, through investments in roadside safety,
gender-sensitive employment opportunities, and community infrastructure. It also advances resilience and equity by
bringing development to areas that were once marginalized by distance and disconnection. Now, schoolchildren
reach classrooms faster, patients access clinics more
easily, and women traders—often the backbone of informal
commerce—experience safer and more predictable border
crossings.
Vital Lever for Industrialization
At a regional level, the Nacala Corridor serves as a cornerstone of SADC integration and a flagship in the Bank’s
vision to Integrate Africa. It enhances the competitiveness
of Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique by ensuring seamless road transit from inland production zones to the
deep-water port of Nacala. The project also strengthens
transport and trade facilitation ambitions under the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), positioning the corridor as a
vital lever for industrialization and economic transformation across Southern and Eastern Africa.
With each kilometer rehabilitated and every barrier
eliminated, the Nacala Road Corridor Project is building a
future of closer cooperation, shared prosperity, and more
inclusive growth. With the AfDB’s catalytic support, what
was once a C patchwork of border bottlenecks and deteriorated roads is transforming into a continuous, dynamic
corridor of connection, propelling Africa’s integration
journey forward.
