The ongoing civil unrest in Mozambique is severely affecting Zimbabwe’s economy, disrupting vital trade routes and commodity supplies. Zimbabwe relies on Mozambique’s Beira and Maputo ports for exporting minerals and importing essential goods like fuel, grain, and fertilizers.
Andrew Kunambura, spokesperson for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), explained the economic toll. “We move chrome, lithium, coal, sugar, and granite to Mozambique. But with frequent train cancellations, our export and import flows have slowed drastically,” he said.
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The crisis began after Mozambique’s October 2024 elections, where disputed results triggered nationwide protests. The unrest has stalled the movement of fertilizers, critical for Zimbabwe’s farming season, leaving the agricultural sector in jeopardy.
The effects ripple beyond Zimbabwe. Zambia and Malawi, also reliant on Mozambican transport corridors, report delayed shipments and increased costs. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema voiced concerns during a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting. “Regional trade in energy and transport is paralyzed. We need collective action to restore peace,” he urged.
For Zimbabwe, the stakes are high. Essential imports are scarce, industrial production is faltering, and foreign currency earnings from exports are dwindling. “Every day the conflict continues, our financial losses mount,” Kunambura added.
