The Mozambican government on Wednesday, 14 October, reaffirmed its commitment to the modernisation and expansion of the Machipanda One-Stop Border Post in Manica province, despite a court order suspending the concession award. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics clarified that the international tender has not been cancelled and is awaiting the next steps in the legal process.

According to Lusa, the government explained that the interim injunction issued by the Administrative Court of the City of Maputo does not constitute a definitive ruling on the legality of the tender. It added that it has not yet been formally notified of the main court action.

The legal challenge was filed by SAFAGA, one of the competing bidders, which contests the proposal evaluation criteria, the justification for the award, the technical and financial capacity of the winning consortium, and the composition of the adjudication panel.

The court ordered the suspension of the award's legal effect and provisionally barred the signing of the concession contract while the matter is examined judicially.

The government maintains that the evaluation process complied with the eligibility, qualification, and selection criteria established in advance, including technical and financial requirements and execution deadlines.

Announced in September, the project envisages a 25-year concession and an investment estimated at the time at US$30 million.

The contract was awarded to the company Terminal Internacional Rodoviário de Machipanda. The announced shareholding structure provides for a 15% state stake through the Road Fund and reserves 10% for Manica province entrepreneurs. The remaining 75% falls to the Chinese consortium of Union Portlink and Zhongmei.

Machipanda is one of the principal land crossing points between Mozambique and Zimbabwe and forms part of the Beira Corridor, which handles the movement of goods between the Mozambican port and landlocked countries across southern Africa.

According to government data, approximately 320 trucks cross the border daily, carrying around 9,600 tonnes of cargo.

As of September 2025, average waiting times stood at 16.6 hours, rising to two to three days during peak periods. The government estimates these delays amount to 5,312 hours of truck immobilisation per day, driving up logistics costs and reducing operator productivity.

The project scope includes expansion of the terminal, improvement of traffic lanes, construction of two bridges over the Machipanda River, and new facilities for border services.

Electronic surveillance systems, cameras, and smart barriers are also planned, along with integration of Mozambican and Zimbabwean authorities' systems to streamline immigration and customs procedures.

Passenger facilities are designed to handle approximately 3,000 people per day. The multimodal freight terminal will occupy an estimated area of 35,000 square metres.

On employment, the government projects 500 jobs during the construction phase and 200 during operations.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics keeps the modernisation of Machipanda among its priorities for the Beira Corridor, but the project's realisation remains contingent on the outcome of the judicial process.