• Floods damaged over 5,000 km of roads, disrupting transport nationwide
• Repeated climate shocks strain finances, limiting resilient infrastructure investment

The cost of restoring Mozambique’s road network after recent floods is estimated at about $3.5 billion, Transport and Logistics Minister João Matlombe said.

Matlombe said the government had approved an initial $1.2 billion emergency plan in 2025 to rehabilitate several sections of the main north-south highway, EN1, as well as regional roads.

“However, given the recent damage, the total cost to repair the network now stands at $3.5 billion,” he said, adding that parts of the rail network were also damaged and would require additional repairs.

The United Nations said heavy rains over several days damaged more than 5,000 km of roads across nine provinces. Among the affected infrastructure is the road linking the capital, Maputo, to the rest of the country, which has become impassable in some areas.

The damage has disrupted travel and supply chains in a country where road transport is the backbone of domestic trade. While emergency works have partially restored traffic on some strategic routes, local media reported that several regions remain difficult to access due to damaged infrastructure.

Beyond immediate humanitarian and logistical needs, the financing required highlights a structural challenge. Frequently hit by climate shocks, Mozambique spends a significant share of its resources rebuilding damaged infrastructure, limiting investment in network expansion. This constrains efforts to improve access to remote areas, strengthen economic integration and improve transport corridors.

Mozambique, on Africa’s southeast coast facing the Indian Ocean, lies in one of the world’s most active cyclone basins and is among the countries most exposed to climate risks, underscoring the need for more resilient transport infrastructure adapted to climate change.

Henoc Dossa