Zimbabwe is poised to bolster its fuel security and reinforce its regional energy influence through plans to expand the capacity of the Beira–Feruka–Msasa pipeline from three billion litres to five billion litres per year, by the end of 2027.
The upgrade marks the second phase of a comprehensive infrastructure modernisation programme led by the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), as Government steps up efforts to enhance energy security, boost strategic fuel reserves and position the country as a regional fuel distribution hub.
This latest phase follows the successful completion of the first stage of the project, which increased annual pumping capacity from two billion litres to three billion litres.
NOIC Board Chairperson, Innocent Chiganze, briefed Parliament on the major infrastructure projects underway, emphasising the strategic importance of the pipeline expansion.
“Parliament’s mandate is oversight to ensure government resources are being utilised properly and efficiently. Members wanted to understand the projects we are implementing.
“We completed two ethanol storage tanks and recently upgraded the pipeline capacity from two billion litres to three billion litres per annum. We are now embarking on a further upgrade to five billion litres annually, which we hope to complete by the end of 2027,” he said.
Legislators expressed satisfaction with the progress, particularly regarding the country’s fuel reserves and storage capacity.
Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Caston Matewu, said the committee was impressed with national preparedness.
“We wanted to verify whether Government has adequate fuel reserves for the country. We were pleased to note that there are more than 540 million litres in reserve, enough to last for over three months. Zimbabwe also serves as a gateway for fuel exports to countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he noted.
Meanwhile, upgrades to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facilities in Ruwa are progressing steadily as part of national efforts to diversify the energy mix.
Deputy Chief Investment Officer at the Mutapa Investment Fund, Enerst Denhere, said the projects are central to reinforcing Zimbabwe’s long-term energy resilience.
“They have also been diversifying the energy mix through the expansion of LPG storage facilities. We are pleased with NOIC’s performance, and engagement with the Public Accounts Committee has helped members appreciate NOIC’s strategic importance, from underground storage facilities to the transit terminal at Mabvuku. These operations are central to Zimbabwe’s energy security,” he said.
With projects such as the Beira–Feruka–Msasa pipeline expansion, Zimbabwe is strengthening its position as a strategic inland port and regional fuel distribution hub servicing markets that include Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
