By THE AFRICA BAZAAR Staff Writer
July, 10 2014

The European Investment Bank, Europe’s long-term lending institution, said it has agreed to loan $26 million (MZN 820 million or EUR 20 million) to Mozambique’s government to assist with the investment needed to rehabilitate the country’s main airport in Maputo.

Mozambique’s main airport in the capital Maputo is undergoing rehabilitation to its interior and exterior areas, including resurfacing of the airport’s runway, taxiway and apron areas, improving landing lights, making sure of adequate water supply in case of fire and improving aircraft fuel supply infrastructure to ensure it meets the international safety standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization.

Additional financial support will also be provided by the French development agency, AFD, and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, with cooperation between financial institutions streamlined under the Mutual Reliance Initiative.

Maputo airport is the main passenger gateway to Mozambique and a leading regional transport hub essential for business and tourist travel in the southern Africa region.

The rehabilitation follows the completion of new international and domestic terminals at Maputo airport in the last three years. The upgrading will not only create jobs during the construction, but generate long-term economic benefits across Mozambique through improved tourism and business links.

Works at Maputo airport are expected to be completed by 2017.

“Maputo is increasingly becoming a development pole, and this new investment plan is key to reinforce the safety and security standards of air travel. It will continue to enhance the potential of regional and international cooperation and bring substantial benefits to the economy of the country. The investment in the Maputo airport complements the EU’s efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in Mozambique. It is in addition an excellent example of complementarily between the EU’s and member states development cooperation in the country,” said Ambassador Paul Malin, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Mozambique.

Over the last 10 years, the European Investment Bank has provided nearly EUR 300m for investment in energy, transport and water infrastructure to Mozambique, as well as supporting private sector investment in the country.