Zimbabwe has embarked on a strategic multi-phase expansion of its critical energy artery, the Beira-Feruka-Msasa pipeline, aiming to increase annual throughput capacity from three billion to five billion litres by 2027.
The ambitious infrastructure project, spearheaded by the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) in collaboration with Mozambique’s Companhia do Pipeline Moçambique-Zimbabwe (CPMZ), is designed to cement Zimbabwe’s position as the primary energy logistics hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The expansion follows the successful completion of “Phase 1” in 2024, which raised the pipeline’s ceiling from two billion to the current three billion litres. However, with domestic and regional demand for diesel, petrol, and jet fuel surging, NOIC officials confirmed this week that the current capacity is already fully utilized.
“Phase 2,” currently under detailed engineering review, involves the incorporation of two new satellite pumping stations and advanced “serial pumping” technology. This innovation allows the Beira-to-Feruka and Feruka-to-Harare segments to operate as a single, seamless infrastructure, dramatically improving flow rates and operational flexibility.
The implications for national energy security are profound. By moving the bulk of the nation’s fuel via pipeline rather than road, the government expects to significantly reduce the “landed cost” of petroleum products while alleviating the pressure on the national road network. Currently, the pipeline accounts for over 90% of Zimbabwe’s fuel imports, and the 540 million litres of strategic storage capacity across depots in Msasa, Mabvuku, and Bulawayo provides a vital buffer against global geopolitical turbulence.
Beyond domestic stability, the upgrade is a bid for regional dominance. A five-billion-litre capacity will allow Zimbabwe to efficiently re-export fuel to landlocked neighbors, including Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By offering a more cost-competitive and reliable route than the traditional trucking corridors from South Africa or Namibia, Zimbabwe aims to capture a larger share of the hinterland market.
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. July Moyo, has previously emphasized that this project is a cornerstone of Vision 2030. To further support this growth, NOIC is also exploring a Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility 25 kilometers offshore from Beira. This would allow “vessel-sized” parcels of up to 100,000 cubic metres to offload directly into the system, bypassing port congestion and unlocking massive economies of scale.
As the project moves toward its 2027 deadline, the Beira-Feruka-Msasa corridor is set to become the definitive lifeline for the region’s industrial and economic aspirations.