Maputo, Sept. 1, 2026 (Lusa) - Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM) plans to invest $70 million (€60 million) in the purchase of locomotives and more than 400 wagons, through bank loans that have already been approved.
The financing was negotiated with the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has provided $40 million (€34 million), and with Standard Bank of South Africa, which is providing the remaining $30 million (€26 million), according to a company statement regarding the approval of the 2025 accounts.
The funds are earmarked for the purchase of 10 locomotives and 420 wagons to boost rail transport capacity; under the terms of the loan, CFM will make half-yearly repayments of $3.89 million (€3.3 million) over a repayment period of approximately 18 years, according to the financing conditions set out in the report.
The document states that investments made by CFM in 2025 totalled 3,254 million meticais (€50.4 million), representing 58% of the approved budget for the financial year.
Among the main projects currently underway are the doubling and modernisation of the Ressano Garcia line, the acquisition of rolling stock, the implementation of railway telecommunications systems, the rehabilitation of port infrastructure and the modernisation of the facilities at Nacala and Beira.
CFM's ongoing investments totalled 6,474 million meticais (€100.3 million) at the end of 2025.
The company is also running one of the country's largest railway programmes: the rehabilitation of the Machipanda line, valued at around $146 million (€125 million), financed mainly by Standard Bank, BCI and Absa.
The report also highlights the company's commitment to the oil and gas industry through its subsidiary CFM Logistics, established in 2023 with the specific mission of supporting the development and implementation of oil and gas projects in Mozambique, providing logistics services and seeking to position itself as «a key player in logistics solutions for the oil and gas industry in Mozambique».
According to CFM, the projects in the Rovuma Basin have the potential to «transform the Mozambican economy», and it is up to the company to capitalise on the business opportunities generated by the sector, notably through the construction and operation of port infrastructure, the provision of maritime and logistics services, and involvement in transport linked to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
The company also maintains that its involvement in these projects will help to promote local content, generate new revenue, create jobs, strengthen the participation of Mozambican companies in the oil and gas value chain, and diversify CFM's business areas.
CFM is a public company wholly owned by the Mozambican state and responsible for managing a significant portion of the country's rail and port infrastructure. The company directly operates the Ressano Garcia, Limpopo and Goba railway lines in the southern region, the Beira railway system in the central region, as well as the ports of Nacala, Pemba and Quelimane and various specialised terminals.
At the same time, the company operates using a combination of direct management and concessions awarded to private operators across various rail-port systems, including the Maputo, Beira and Nacala corridors, whilst also holding stakes in various companies involved in logistics and port operations.
PVJ/AYLS // AYLS
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