HARARE, ZIMBABWE — Zimbabwe and Zambia have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a new cross-border pipeline for the transportation of refined petroleum products, marking a key step in boosting regional energy cooperation and efficiency.
The announcement was made this week by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, who said the agreement had been formally approved by Zimbabwe’s Cabinet.
This ambitious pipeline project is expected to modernize fuel delivery, reduce dependence on road transportation, and enhance energy efficiency across the two neighbouring countries. It is also seen as a strategic step toward regional infrastructure integration, private sector investment, and long-term economic growth.
“The MoU leverages Zimbabwe’s existing capacity for oil and gas storage, processing, and transportation, coupled with Zambia’s growing demand for affordable and efficient energy use,” said Dr Muswere.
Currently, Zambia imports large volumes of fuel via road tankers, many of which pass through Zimbabwe. This over-reliance on road haulage has caused heavy wear and tear on public roads, contributed to high logistics costs, and exposed the fuel supply chain to inefficiencies and smuggling.
Dr Muswere said the pipeline system will address these issues by shifting bulk fuel transportation from roads to underground infrastructure, which is not only safer and more cost-effective, but also more environmentally sustainable.
“Transporting fuel to Zambia by pipeline is expected to take fuel tankers off the roads, thereby reducing damage to road infrastructure,” he said.
The deal positions Zimbabwe as a strategic fuel logistics hub for the region, with its existing oil infrastructure—including storage tanks and refineries—providing the backbone for the project. It will also enhance Zimbabwe’s role in regional trade and energy security, while offering Zambia a cheaper, faster, and more secure way to meet its rising energy needs.
Although specific timelines and financing mechanisms were not immediately disclosed, both governments have agreed to conduct feasibility studies, identify investment opportunities, and design a clear regulatory framework. Planning and technical consultations are expected to begin in the coming months.
The project is anticipated to attract public-private partnerships (PPPs) and aligns with SADC’s regional integration goals, especially in areas of transport, energy, and trade facilitation. It will help cut transport costs, improve fuel accessibility, and support industrialisation in both countries.
Analysts believe the project will also help combat fuel smuggling and tax evasion, which has become a major issue in cross-border fuel movement between Southern African countries.
“By streamlining the logistics and improving transparency in the fuel supply chain, the pipeline will bring order to a sector that has long been susceptible to leakages and criminal activities,” said a regional energy consultant based in Harare.
For Zambia, the initiative promises to meet its growing demand for refined petroleum products, particularly in its rapidly urbanising cities and industrial zones. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, stands to gain from infrastructure usage fees, increased transit revenue, and strengthened bilateral relations with one of its closest trading partners.
This latest MoU adds to a string of bilateral cooperation agreements between the two countries, which have been working together on energy, trade, tourism, and transport development. It also represents a broader shift in Southern Africa, where governments are prioritizing cross-border infrastructure to support economic transformation.
With Southern Africa’s energy demands projected to rise steadily over the next two decades, the Zimbabwe–Zambia pipeline could become a key artery in the region’s fuel supply network, offering long-term sustainability, improved supply security, and increased regional integration.
For now, both governments are focused on mobilizing technical expertise, legal frameworks, and investor support to turn the MoU into a reality. Once completed, the project is expected to reshape the way fuel is transported across borders in the region and help Zimbabwe and Zambia reduce costs, protect infrastructure, and accelerate economic development.
