The railway line linking Mozambique and Zimbabwe has reopened after a four-month closure, restoring the movement of freight and passengers along a key regional...
The railway line linking Mozambique and Zimbabwe has reopened after a four-month closure, restoring the movement of freight and passengers along a key regional corridor.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe confirmed that major repair works on the Chicualacuala–Maputo line have been completed. The route had been closed since mid-January, forcing the suspension of cargo transport to and from the Port of Maputo and affecting regional trade.
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Mozambique Ports and Railways, known as Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), announced that repairs were finalised and full rail traffic resumed on 1 May 2026.
In a statement, CFM said the reopening followed “extensive rehabilitation and restoration works” on the railway infrastructure, allowing operations to restart along the full length of the Limpopo Railway Line.
The line is a major transport route connecting the Port of Maputo to inland countries, including Zimbabwe and Botswana, and is used to move goods such as fuel, minerals, cereals and containerised cargo.
The closure earlier this year disrupted supply chains across the region, with freight movement halted for several months. Reports indicate that the suspension affected trade flows and logistics operations linked to the port.
Flooding was identified as the main cause of the damage that led to the shutdown. The impact was significant, with rail operators reporting financial losses and delays in exports, particularly in the mining sector.
The Limpopo railway, which runs from Maputo to Zimbabwe, is a key infrastructure link in southern Africa’s transport network. It supports both passenger and freight services and plays a central role in regional trade integration.
Authorities say the reopening will help restore normal trade operations and improve the movement of goods between ports and landlocked countries. It is also expected to ease pressure on alternative transport routes that were used during the closure.
Rail traffic has now been fully reinstated for both passenger and cargo services along the corridor, including routes connecting Maputo to Chicualacuala and other regional links.
The resumption of services is seen as an important step in stabilising regional logistics after months of disruption, with transport operators and businesses expected to benefit from improved connectivity.
