Multinational - Feasibility Study for the Shire-Zambezi Waterways Development Project

The Shire–Zambezi Waterways Development Project aims at providing a less costly and more reliable alternative route to the seaports on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Ultimately, it is expected to contribute to the socio-economic development of the three countries (Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia) as a result of the lower expected costs of transportation, improved competiveness of exported goods and greater regional integration and cooperation. The present support concerns the realization of the feasibility study of the said project. This study is requested by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), on behalf of the governments of these countries, for the reopening of the ShireZambezi waterways. It is organized around two main components: (i) feasibility studies on inland waterway transport; and (ii) the development of the water transport business plan. The total duration of the study is 24 months and the total cost, estimated at € 3,056,786.