Earthwise Investments, the company spearheading the proposed SADC Regional Oil Pipeline Project, has held discussions with the Department of Energy on advancing the regional energy infrastructure initiative.
The company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Edwin Rodin Brown, a former Auditor General for Geneva, and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer Rodgers Mudarikwa said discussions focused on moving the ambitious regional project forward. The proposed project, valued at more than US$19 billion, includes a primary petroleum pipeline extending from the Port of Nacala in Mozambique to Chirundu in Zimbabwe, a 120-million-litre, 18-bay storage and distribution facility at Chirundu, and pipeline connections serving Botswana, Francistown, Zambia, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Discussions also highlighted Botswana’s strategic geographical position as a key transit corridor within the proposed regional pipeline network. The project forms part of broader SADC efforts to strengthen regional infrastructure, improve energy connectivity and facilitate cross-border economic development.
Zimbabwe’s Msasa Terminal is proposed as the primary feed node for the southern pipeline. During the meeting, company representatives and Department of Energy officials explored practical ways to advance the project, with discussions focusing on its potential economic benefits for Botswana and the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The pipeline is expected to transport approximately 3.7 million tonnes of petroleum products annually, strengthening regional energy security, improving fuel supply reliability and supporting greater economic integration across Southern Africa.
Discussions also highlighted Botswana’s strategic geographical position as a key transit corridor within the proposed regional pipeline network. The project forms part of broader SADC efforts to strengthen regional infrastructure, improve energy connectivity and facilitate cross-border economic development. In June last year, the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer conducted a series of high-level engagements on the project, with stakeholder consultations continuing across the region.
Further engagements are currently underway with governments and stakeholders in Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Botswana.
Additional details on the project’s implementation timeline, financing arrangements and regional partnerships are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
