Mozambique bridge due to open

Mozambique’s Maputo-Catembe Bridge is due to open shortly and will become Africa’s longest suspension bridge. The 3km bridge will form part of the road connection between Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, and Catembe. The bridge is costing over US$700 million, with much of the necessary funding being provided by the Export Import Bank of China. The new bridge will improve transport and reduce journey times for drivers, who currently have to rely on ferries travelling between Maputo and Catembe.
May 11, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Mozambique’s Maputo-Catembe Bridge is due to open shortly and will become Africa’s longest suspension bridge. The 3km bridge will form part of the road connection between Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, and Catembe. The bridge is costing over US$700 million, with much of the necessary funding being provided by the Export Import Bank of China. The new bridge will improve transport and reduce journey times for drivers, who currently have to rely on ferries travelling between Maputo and Catembe.


Construction work commenced in 2014 and was originally expected to be complete by 2017 but the project was delayed due to hold ups with supplies of necessary materials. The construction work is being carried out by the Chinese contractor, 3366 China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The bridge project forms part of a larger package of works for new road connections, including a 120km link from Catembe to Ponto do Ouro, on the border with neighbouring South Africa’s Natal Province. Another 65km road meanwhile will connect Vela Vista with Boane. In all the road projects include upgrades to five bridges spanning the Tember River, Changane River, Mahube River, Boane River and Umbeluzi River.

The bridge and road projects are of major economic importance for Mozambique as the work will improve tourism, trade and transport with its neighbours, South Africa and Swaziland.

Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • India’s longest tolled expressway is open to traffic
    January 2, 2013
    Earlier this year, a new expressway was opened to traffic in India, adding connectivity to the country’s road network - Mike Woof reports. India’s economic growth has fuelled a massive construction boom in the country. Road building has been set as a priority by the Indian Government to help ensure continued economic development and improve connectivity between major population centres. One major new expressway has recently opened to traffic, having been designed to international standards and provides insi
    Read More
  • Delay for major Serbian highway project
    August 19, 2016
    Construction work on Serbia’s Ljig-Preljina highway, the Corridor 11 Project, is being delayed. The delay has been caused by complications involving the construction of the tunnel and bridge sections. The construction work is being carried out by the Azerbaijan contractor Azvirt, with local firms carrying out sub-contracting projects. The new route is expected to open around 40 days later than originally expected as a result. Meanwhile the improving political relations between Serbia and its neighbour Ko
    Read More
  • Road and bridge upgrades improving transport in Nepal
    November 1, 2019
    New road and bridge upgrades are being introduced in Nepal that will help improve transport and develop the country’s economy.
    Read More
  • Zimbabwe highway project faces delay
    July 12, 2018
    The project to build Zimbabwe’s crucial north-south highway link is facing delays, with the contract now having to be re-awarded. The tender was originally awarded to an Austrian firm, Geiger International, but with progress having proven very slow this has been withdrawn. The deal has not yet been re-awarded. But the Zimbabwe Government is at present in discussions with the second bidder from the original tender process, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC), over the contract. The hig
    Read More

Highlighted Content