Mozambique has expressed concern over slow progress in the rehabilitation of the railway line in Malawi and the construction of a new rail link in Zambia, warning that the delays are undermining the full operationalisation of the Nacala Development Corridor and its potential to drive regional economic growth.

Speaking at the 10th Tripartite Meeting of the Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee (NDCMC) currently underway in Maputo, Mozambique’s National Director of Logistics and Development, Fernando Sebastião Ouana, said the stalled rail projects are constraining the smooth movement of goods and people along the strategic corridor linking Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia.

“The slow pace in rehabilitating the railway in Malawi and constructing the new line in Zambia is delaying the efficient functioning of the corridor,” Ouana said. “This, in turn, affects our collective ability to stimulate trade and economic activity across the three countries.”

Ouana said the World Bank–funded Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project had emerged as “a concrete response to these challenges,” adding that it was helping to create “a competitive and investment-friendly economic environment” within the region.

Malawi’s Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, John Bosco Phiri, said the 10th NDCMC meeting was expected to deliver key decisions aimed at accelerating progress. “The meeting will focus on finalising the memorandum of understanding for the proposed Nacala–Chipata–Serenje railway and securing ministerial endorsement of critical decisions to fast-track the modernisation of the corridor,” Phiri said.

He noted that the meeting marked a shift in governance arrangements, with deliberations now involving the full NDCMC structure, including the Council of Ministers. “A major highlight will be the signing of a ministerial declaration committing Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique to jointly rehabilitate the existing railway line in Malawi and construct a greenfield railway between Chipata and Serenje in Zambia,” Phiri said.

Describing the move as significant, Phiri added: “This is a landmark step that formalises our collaboration on the Nacala Development Project. It will deepen regional integration, enhance trade facilitation, improve transport efficiency and unlock economic opportunities across our three countries and into the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Officials said discussions at the meeting also cover multi-sectoral activities, including infrastructure upgrades, rail development, and thematic cluster sessions involving both public and private sector stakeholders, aimed at harmonising policies and strengthening partnerships.

Mozambique’s Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Irina Ribeiro, said the project’s expected outcomes include “trade facilitation reforms, the development of regional value chains, expanded market access and improved regional coordination.”

She praised the World Bank Group for its continued support through financing initiatives in digital trade, ICT systems, border management modernisation, transport infrastructure development and institutional capacity building, describing these as “critical drivers of economic and social development.”

Ribeiro reaffirmed Mozambique’s commitment to the project, noting that the Nacala Development Corridor remains “a strategic route for trade and the movement of people and goods, with significant untapped potential.”

The meeting, which runs from 15 to 19 December 2025, is also addressing bottlenecks in One-Stop Border Posts, reviewing progress in rail, port and road transport operations and promoting a Simplified Trade Regime to support small-scale and cross-border traders.