Zimbabwe-Botswana pipeline planned

The ministry of Energy and Power Development has revealed that it is currently negotiating with Botswana over the building of a fuel pipeline linking Harare with Francistown. The pipeline is aimed to be a continuation from the existing Harare-Beira pipeline which Zimbabwe uses to import its fuel.
"Our Ministers of Energy met in Francistown last year and agreed to work together within the regional thrust of co-operation. The Harare-Francistown pipeline is one of the projects that are being looked at. An inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalised and will give a framework on the implementation of the project," Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Mr Justin Mupamhanga said.

He said the proposed pipeline had been necessitated by Botswana's consideration to import its fuel through Beira rather than its traditional route through South Africa.
"Botswana is considering transporting its fuel supplies through Beira as an alternative to South Africa, necessitating the construction of the pipeline," said Mupamhanga.

He said Botswana was also open to bringing the fuel by road pending the finalisation of the project.
"There is also serious consideration on their part to bring in the fuel through road and rail pending the finalisation of the pipeline project," he said.
Zimbabwe and Botswana recently signed a MoU for the refurbishment of the Bulawayo Thermal Power Station.