Construction on the Maputo-Catembe Bridge Development was initially planned to commence in early 2014. However, there have been significant delays in securing funding by the China Roads and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the company responsible for both building the ring road around Mozambique’s capital and constructing the bridge. The project, with an estimated cost of USD 725 million, has received its first batch of materials at the Port of Maputo. These materials were successfully unloaded from a Chinese cargo ship, as reported by the Domingo newspaper. Currently, steps are being taken to prepare for the construction phase, which is scheduled to start in the latter part of the year. Nelson Nunes, the CEO of the Maputo Sul Development Company, confirmed this timeline.
Established by the Mozambican government in 2010, the Maputo Sul Development Company is a state-owned entity dedicated to overseeing the construction and management of the Maputo-Catembe bridge and the surrounding road network.
The bridge across Maputo Bay will span 3 kilometers in length and stand at a height of 60 meters above the water. This design ensures that maritime traffic in and out of the busy Port of Maputo remains uninterrupted. The port is a crucial revenue source for the country and one of Africa’s busiest.
The complete project consists of three main components. Firstly, the Maputo-Catembe Bridge itself. Secondly, the construction of a new high-quality 107km road connecting Catembe and Ponta d’Ouro at the South African border. This new road is expected to significantly reduce travel time, cutting it down to approximately 40 minutes by road when finished. Lastly, the existing infrastructure between Bela Vista and the Boane district will undergo upgrades.
All three elements of the project, including the bridge and the two roads, will have tolls. The revenue generated from these tolls will contribute to repaying the overall project loan secured by the Mozambican government.
Experts predict a substantial population increase in Catembe, growing from 30,000 to over 350,000 within the next decade. This growth is attributed to well-planned zones for industrial, commercial, and residential development within the Catembe area. This expansion is vital for Maputo, as the city’s limits are already strained due to an influx of foreign expatriates and local individuals seeking employment opportunities in Mozambique’s economic hub.
Catembe’s expansion will provide valuable space for Maputo’s continued growth. The city has sustained an average GDP growth rate of 7% annually for the past five years, with 2013 projecting a rate of 7.4%. Mozambique’s market economy is attracting international investors, particularly in real estate and construction sectors, driven by a favorable economic climate.
In summary, the Maputo-Catembe Bridge Development not only addresses the need for Maputo’s expansion but also establishes a vital connection between Maputo and Catembe. This connection is expected to boost traffic along the southern coastline, leading to increased economic, business, and tourism prospects for the country.
