Beira, Mozambique – In a landmark move to bring digital transformation and enhanced safety to a vital transport corridor in southern Africa, Sedna Africa has secured a major contract with Cornelder de Moçambique to deploy a Nokia private mobile network at the Port of Beira.
1. Project Overview
Sedna Africa, a South African industrial IT and connectivity solutions provider, will implement a state‑of‑the‑art private mobile network within Beira Port. This solution aims to overcome limitations of existing narrowband infrastructure and deliver high‑throughput, reliable communication supporting automation, operational efficiency, and enhanced workforce safety across port operations
2. Strategic Importance of Beira Port
Located in central Mozambique, Beira Port serves as a critical maritime gateway for landlocked southern African neighbors—Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and the DRC. It is strategically situated along the Beira Corridor, a logistics artery that supports growth in regional trade and supply chains
3. Backdrop: Expansion Plans & Traffic Growth
In October 2023, the Mozambican government unveiled a ֧US $290 million investment plan spanning 15 years to expand and modernise Beira Port. Container handling capacity is set to rise from roughly 300,000 to 700,000 TEUs annually—forecasting a dramatic ~300% increase in volume over two decades
By early 2025, container traffic had surged by ~34%, with the port handling approximately 600 ships annually, including large Panamax vessels. Dredging and deepening efforts have enabled safe docking of vessels with over 12m drafts—a milestone for a river port :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
4. Why Sedna’s Private Network Matters
- Digital transformation enabler: Enables automation, IoT-enabled devices, and real‑time monitoring.
- Safety and workforce protection: Reliable connectivity supports wearable sensors, automated alerts, and remote diagnostics.
- Operational efficiency: Streamlined cargo handling, better coordination of cranes, yard equipment, and logistics flow.
- Scalability: Future‑proof infrastructure aligned with planned port expansion and rising traffic.
Anton Fester, MD of Sedna Africa, underscored that most African ports still operate on obsolete narrowband systems that limit throughput and derail digital transformation. Private mobile networks address that gap and are mission‑critical in heavy‑industry contexts like ports and mining
5. Broader Vision & Economic Impact
Cornelder’s MD Jan de Vries emphasised that modernising port infrastructure will attract more trade, boost economic growth, create jobs, and generate revenue. Digitisation, safety, and automation are key to making Beira future‑fit in a competitive logistics landscape :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Beyond ports, Sedna’s experience in mining connectivity is being leveraged to tackle infrastructure challenges across Africa. The company now offers services like distributed fibre sensing, OT governance, and live condition monitoring, crucial for risk mitigation and preventive maintenance
6. Related Upgrades at Beira Port
- New reefer yard: Port operator Cornelder recently increased refrigerated plug capacity from 144 to 352 units to support export/import of seafood and citrus fruits, using a real-time Reefer Monitoring System (RMS)
- Transport corridor works: Upgrades include dredging the access channel, refurbishing national road N6, and rebuilding the 318 km Machipanda railway connecting Beira with Zimbabwe
7. Conclusion
By deploying a Nokia private mobile network, Sedna Africa is not just bringing connectivity to Beira Port—it is laying the groundwork for a modern, secure, and efficient logistics hub. Coupled with government-backed expansion projects and corridor-wide infrastructure upgrades, this initiative supports Mozambique’s ambition to become a regional powerhouse in trade and transport. The project’s ripple effects—ranging from automation and safety improvements to job creation and cross-border trade growth—underscore its transformative potential.
Published: July 2025 | BY bizcommunity.com
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