Mozambique’s National Roads Administration (ANE) has awarded nine road construction and surfacing contracts in Inhambane and Sofala provinces, representing a combined investment of approximately €293 million, according to Lusa. The contracts cover 485 kilometres of national and regional roads and form part of the Accelerated National Road Rehabilitation and Construction Programme 2026-2031, known as “Mais Estradas – 2031”.

According to official information released by ANE’s provincial delegations, the contracts are divided into five lots in Inhambane, in the south of the country, and four in Sofala, in the centre, and encompass engineering projects and surfacing works. The awards represent one milestone in a national road infrastructure programme valued at US$2.8 billion, which envisages interventions across more than 3,000 kilometres of roads by 2031.

In Inhambane, the works cover 285 kilometres at an estimated investment of €143.6 million. The five contracts were awarded to a consortium comprising Maripoma Entreprise Limitada of Mozambique, Maripoma Entreprise Limitada of Ghana, CC Building Limitada, and GWIC Moçambique Limitada. The highest-value contract relates to the Sitila-Funhalouro section on regional road R444, spanning 70 kilometres at approximately €35 million. On the same corridor, the Massinga-Sitila section, covering 40 kilometres, was awarded for €22.9 million.

On National Road N222, works will target two segments: Mapinhane-Macumene, spanning 58 kilometres and valued at €27.6 million, and Macumene-Mabote, covering 57 kilometres at an estimated €26.1 million. The rehabilitation and surfacing of the Inharrime-Panda section on road R483, covering 60 kilometres, represents approximately €31.8 million.

In Sofala, the contracts cover 200 kilometres of National Road N282, a key corridor linking the province’s coastline to its interior, at a total investment of €149.2 million. The works are divided into four sections of 50 kilometres each, awarded to different contractors.

The first two sections — Dondo-Semacuze and Semacuze-Muanza — were awarded to Zhongmei Engineering Group for approximately €40.1 million and €40.6 million respectively. The Muanza-Inhaminga section was assigned to Mzansi Civils and Tar for approximately €35.1 million, while the Inhaminga-Matondo segment was awarded to Porto Cargas under a contract worth €33.4 million.

The Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, confirmed this week that the programme is already under way. “It is important to highlight that this initiative is already at a concrete stage of implementation, with public tenders having been launched for the execution of the works,” he said.

According to Matlombe, once the ongoing evaluation and award processes are concluded, the government plans to mobilise contractors and begin works in the first quarter of 2027. The minister also advocated a shift in the national road network management strategy, prioritising planning, preventive maintenance, and the judicious use of available financial resources. “We cannot continue to intervene in roads only when deterioration reaches critical levels,” he said.

Matlombe further stressed the importance of ensuring the quality of the contracts, compliance with contractual deadlines, and the strengthening of oversight. The nine contracts now awarded form one component of a programme through which the government aims to expand and improve Mozambique’s road network over the next five years.