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

  • Kenya key road construction contract awarded
    March 28, 2017
    Contracts for a major highway project in Kenya have now been awarded. Two Chinese contractors will handle two sections of the new highway with the two portions of the project worth nearly US$175 million in all. The project involves improvements to the 206km road that runs through Isebania, Kissi and Ahero in Kenya to upgrade it to highway status. The project is of regional importance for East Africa as it will also connect with South Sudan and Tanzania and become part of a new road connection between the th
    Read More
  • New version of world’s longest floating bridge
    August 12, 2014
    The creation of a new version of the world’s longest floating bridge in Seattle, in the US state of Washington, is among the world’s most eye-catching current bridge engineering projects. It is an impressive example of the health of the bridge replacement sector, particularly in the US, leaving it well placed for growth. Guy Woodford reports Already the world’s longest floating bridge at over 2,310m long, the Governor Albert D Rosellini-Evergreen Point Floating Bridge in Seattle in the United States is g
    Read More
  • Rwanda’s new northern route planned
    May 23, 2018
    In Rwanda, a US$66 million deal has been signed for construction work on a road running from Base and through Butaro to Kidaho. The 63km stretch road is intended to improve transport connections in the north of the country. The work on this road will boost the country’s connections with neighbouring Uganda, helping develop trade and transport between the two nations.
    Read More
  • Formwork innovations help bridge building
    July 7, 2015
    A series of formwork developments are helping with challenging bridge construction projects around the world - Mike Woof writes In the Polish city of Krakow, a cost-effective cable stayed bridge is being constructed using a balanced cantilever technique. The current expansion of the Krakow metropolitan railway network (KST) requires the building of a crossing of the Krakow-Plaszow railway junction. Ensuring that daily rail operations remained unaffected during the construction of the 252m long crossing w
    Read More

Highlighted Content