The feasibility study for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Mozambique’s capital Maputo is expected to be completed in May or June.

Netherlands-based Royal HaskoningDHV began working on the study in July 2023. Following its completion, an international public tender will be launched for the construction of the country's first BRT system.

The Maputo BRT system will initially comprise a 22km segregated route extending from downtown Maputo to Praca dos Combatentes, Praca da Juventude and Rotunda Missao Roque. Subsequently, it will connect Missao Roque to Albazini, Zimpeto, Zona Verde, Matola Gare and Marracuene on non-segregated roads with a length of 39km.

Map of Maputo BRT systemBRT em via segregada=BRT segregated road; Serviço BRT no tránsito misturado=BRT non-segregated road; Terminais=Terminals; Projectos de pavimentação e melhoria das vias=Road improvement works. Source: Move Maputo

The network will feature six routes to be serviced by 100 buses, in addition to 10 terminals and a depot.

The BRT system will have the capacity to transport 4,000 passengers an hour, with annual ridership estimated at around 40 million people.

Maputo bus rapid transit (BRT) routesSource: Move Maputo

The scheme also includes a feeder road component that aims to rehabilitate roads in Maputo and Matola.

Work got underway in October 2023 on the rehabilitation of Maputo's Avenida 24 de Julho as well as the construction of a third lane. In December, a contract was awarded to pave the Avenida da ONU and connections to the Fernao de Magalhaes and 25 de September avenues, with an approximate length of 1.7km.

Roadworks in Matola were due to start this year including paving the Molumbela/Khongolote road for 2km, asphalting the road between Boquisso and Intaka for 6.7km and the road between Matlhemele and Umatibjanaa over 5.5km.

The Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT) is the project implementing agency, supervised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The Maputo BRT is part of the wider Maputo Metropolitan Area Urban Mobility Project (Move Maputo), which is being financed by the World Bank. It approved US$250 million of funding for Move Maputo in August 2022. The project is due for completion by the end of 2027.

The overall aims of Move Maputo are to improve the quality of mass transport in a high-demand corridor in the Maputo metropolitan area and to strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework for urban transport.

The US-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is providing technical support to Move Maputo and the AMT on the BRT scheme.