On August 28, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Grant Agreement (G/A) with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, for the “Natete Bridge Replacement Project.” The agreement was signed that day by Maria de Fátima Simão Manso, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Communities Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique, and Surimara Takahashi, Deputy Director of the JICA Mozambique Office.
Scenes from the signing ceremony
In northern Mozambique, the Nacala Corridor—an international logistics route extending from the Port of Nacala, which was developed with Japanese assistance, to Malawi and Zambia—is located. Northern Mozambique, where the Nacala Corridor is located, is blessed with resources such as coal and natural gas, as well as vast tracts of land suitable for agriculture, and plays a vital role in logistics and regional integration; however, the Natete Bridge, located along the corridor, has sustained severe damage from recent flooding.
This project aims to ensure safe transportation in the Nakara Corridor—where logistics demand is expected to grow in the future—by replacing the existing bridge with one that is resilient to flooding, thereby contributing to the economic and social development of the entire region. Eliminating bottlenecks in the transportation network connecting inland Africa to the Indian Ocean will contribute to the realization of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” promoted by the Government of Japan, while also helping to strengthen Japan’s supply chains.
The business overview is as follows.
Natete Bridge Replacement Project
The Natete Bridge Reconstruction Project
・ Country Name (Target Region)
Republic of Mozambique (Rivaue District, Nampula Province)
・Business Objectives
This project aims to construct a bridge in Ribau District, Nampla State, by constructing a bridge on the Natete River along the Nakara Corridor that is resilient to floods—which are becoming more severe due to climate change—thereby ensuring safe and stable transportation along the Nakara Corridor and contributing to the socio-economic development of the Nakara Corridor region.
・Business Activities
(a) Details of Facilities, Equipment, etc.
[Facilities] Natete Bridge, Access Roads, Bank Reinforcement Work on Both Banks, and Demolition of the Existing Bridge and Bailey Bridge
(b) Consulting Services
Detailed Design, Bidding Support, Construction Supervision
・Maximum Grant Amount
1.691 billion yen
・Scheduled Implementation Period
35 months (including detailed design and bidding periods)
・Implementing Agency
Mozambique Road Authority
・ Contributing to the Achievement of the SDGs
Goal 9 (Build the Foundations for Industry and Innovation)
Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Goal 13 (Take concrete action on climate change)
© Source JICA