• Final two of 10 new locomotives delivered to state rail operator CFM

• Move aims to support growing cross-border freight demand

• Part of broader plan to boost logistics capacity and reduce road pressure

Mozambique has received the final two locomotives from a 10-unit order supplied by India, completing a delivery process that began in September 2025. The 3,300-horsepower units are intended for Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), the state-owned company that manages the country’s ports and rail network, as part of its long-term development strategy.

The expanded fleet is designed to meet rising demand for cross-border rail freight, particularly along corridors linking Zimbabwe and South Africa. The move fits into a broader push to strengthen Mozambique’s logistics capacity as it positions itself as a regional trade hub in Southern Africa, at a time when supply chains remain heavily dependent on South African infrastructure.

Mozambique already plays a key role for several landlocked countries in the region, which rely on its main ports—Maputo, Beira, and Nacala—for a significant share of their trade flows. In April 2025, authorities announced a 14 billion meticais (about $218.9 million) investment plan for the rail sector through 2030.

The roadmap includes continued upgrades to the Ressano Garcia line, which connects Maputo to South Africa, as well as the acquisition of 30 passenger coaches and 250 freight wagons.

Co-financed by the African Development Bank, the locomotive program also includes an environmental component. It aims to ease pressure on road networks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along key corridors through the use of more efficient rolling stock. According to the supplier, the locomotives are designed for narrow-gauge tracks (1,067 mm), can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, and are equipped with EMD 710G3B engines.

Henoc Dossa