TRIM Seeks Private Partners to Revitalise 9,000km of South Africa’s Rail Network South Africa’s Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) is seeking private-sector partners to help commercialise and revitalise approximately 9,000 kilometres of rail lines across the country. The initiative targets the B Network, which consists largely of lower-volume, underutilised or dormant rail lines outside the country’s priority freight corridors. TRIM sees the network as an opportunity to attract private investment,
Category: Railway News
AfDB Approves $265 Million to Advance Zambia’s Lobito Corridor Rail Link
AfDB Approves $265 Million for Zambia’s Lobito Corridor Railway Project The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $265 million to support Zambia’s participation in the Lobito Integrated Economic Corridor, advancing plans to establish a direct railway connection between Zambia and Angola. The financing comprises a $255 million loan from the African Development Fund and a $10 million grant from the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility. The funding will support
Kinshasa Urban Train Service Resumes After Nearly 15 Years
DRC Resumes Kinshasa Urban Train Service After 15-Year Suspension Kinshasa’s urban rail service has resumed after nearly 15 years, reopening a key transport link between the capital’s eastern districts and the city centre. The National Transport Office (Onatra) resumed passenger services on 19 August 2026 between Tshenke in Masina district and Kinshasa Central Station, providing an alternative to the heavily congested Boulevard Lumumba corridor. The nearly 25-kilometre route includes about
Traxtion Bets on Rail Reforms and Africa’s Growing Mineral Trade
South Africa’s Traxtion Invests $210 Million as Rail Reforms Open New Opportunities in Africa’s Mining Sector South African rail services company Traxtion is positioning itself for growth as rail reforms across Africa open freight networks to private operators and rising mineral production creates stronger demand for reliable transport infrastructure. The company plans to invest 3.4 billion rand, or about $210 million, in expanding its rolling stock capacity. The investment includes
DRC Advances US$1.26 Billion Plan to Modernise Dilolo-Sakania Railway
DRC Approves US$1.26 Billion Dilolo-Sakania Railway Modernisation Project The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is advancing a US$1.258 billion project to rehabilitate and modernise the 1,004.5-kilometre Dilolo-Sakania railway, strengthening a critical section of the Lobito Corridor. The government adopted a draft collaboration convention with Mota-Engil Africa covering the railway’s financing, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation, maintenance and eventual transfer to the state. The railway runs through the DRC’s mineral-rich southeastern region and
Lobito Corridor Inspires Plans for Lagos-Dakar Transport Link
Lobito Corridor Sparks Plans for New Lagos-Dakar Trade and Transport Link The success and growing strategic importance of Angola’s Lobito Corridor is inspiring plans for a new transport and trade link connecting Lagos in Nigeria to Dakar in Senegal. The proposed Lagos-Dakar connection would strengthen economic integration across West Africa by improving the movement of goods, people and services between major commercial centres along the Atlantic coast. The initiative reflects
South Africa Extends Transnet Board’s Term by Six Months
Transport Minister Extends Transnet Board’s Term to January 2027 to Ensure Leadership Continuity South African Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has extended the term of Transnet’s board of directors by six months, allowing the current board to remain in office until January 11, 2027, or until a new board is appointed, whichever comes first. The board’s previous term expired on July 12, prompting the extension to ensure continuity while the government
DRC Chooses Mota-Engil for Lobito Corridor Railway Upgrade to Boost Copper and Cobalt Exports
DR Congo Approves Mota-Engil Partnership to Revamp Lobito Corridor Railway Linking Copper and Cobalt Mines to Global Markets The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a partnership with Portuguese construction and engineering company Mota-Engil SGPS SA to rehabilitate a critical railway network that will strengthen the country’s access to global markets for copper and cobalt. The project forms part of the Congolese section of the Lobito Corridor, a strategic infrastructure
Zambia Plans TAZARA Railway Modernisation to Strengthen Trade and Logistics Network
Zambia Targets TAZARA Railway Upgrade with $1.6 Billion Rehabilitation Plan to Boost Trade and Economic Growth Zambia is advancing plans to modernise the TAZARA railway corridor, with President Hakainde Hichilema highlighting the importance of upgrading the route to support trade, transport efficiency and economic growth. Speaking at the TAZARA train station in Kapiri Mposhi, President Hichilema said the government is committed to improving the railway, which provides a strategic link
RMB Nigeria Leads $1.8 Billion Financing for Landmark Kano–Maradi Cross-Border Railway Project
RMB Nigeria Secures $1.8 Billion Financing for Kano–Maradi Railway to Boost West Africa Trade Connectivity RMB Nigeria has successfully structured a $1.8 billion financing package for the development of the Kano–Maradi railway, one of West Africa’s most important cross-border infrastructure projects. The deal positions RMB Nigeria as a key financier of strategic transport infrastructure aimed at strengthening trade links between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger while promoting broader regional