DRC Accession to Luxembourg Rail Protocol Set to Unlock Rail Investment and Boost African Trade Corridors The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol is being viewed as a major milestone for Africa’s transport and logistics sector, with the potential to unlock private investment in railway rolling stock and strengthen key regional trade corridors. The Luxembourg Rail Protocol, which entered into force on 8 March 2024,
Category: Railway News
Kenya to Launch Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR Construction in July 2026
Kenya to Begin Construction of Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR Extension in July 2026 to Boost Regional Trade Construction of the long-awaited Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension is set to begin in July 2026, with Kenya Railways confirming that preparations for the multi-billion-shilling project are in their final stages. The state corporation has intensified pre-construction activities, including public consultations with affected landowners and inspections of properties earmarked for compulsory acquisition along the
Uganda Secures €650.75 Million Islamic Development Bank Loan for Standard Gauge Railway
Uganda Secures €650.75 Million IsDB Financing to Accelerate Standard Gauge Railway and Boost Regional Trade Uganda has secured Shs2.73 trillion (€650.75 million) in financing from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to accelerate construction of key sections of the long-awaited Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a landmark project expected to strengthen regional trade and improve connectivity with the Port of Mombasa. Approved during the 51st Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in
Zimbabwe Explores China Resource-Backed Financing to Modernize Roads and Rail Network
Zimbabwe Eyes China-Backed Resource Financing to Fund $34 Billion Transport Infrastructure Upgrade Zimbabwe is exploring resource-backed financing agreements with China to fund major road and railway infrastructure projects as the government seeks to modernize its transport network and accelerate economic growth. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revealed that discussions are underway with China Railway on financing mechanisms that would use future revenues generated from Zimbabwe’s natural resources to repay infrastructure-related loans.
Transnet Launches RFP for Rail Rolling Stock Leasing Entity LeaseCo Under PPP Model
Transnet issues RFP for LeaseCo PPP to modernise rail rolling stock and expand private sector participation in South Africa Transnet has issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to two shortlisted bidders as part of its plan to establish a rail rolling stock leasing entity known as LeaseCo, structured as a public–private partnership (PPP). The bidders were selected from 14 respondents who participated in an earlier Request for Qualification (RFQ)
Zambia and US Expand $491 Million Grant Programme to Support Lobito Corridor Infrastructure
Zambia, US Redirect Part of $491 Million Agriculture Grant to Boost Lobito Corridor and Critical Minerals Infrastructure Zambia has reached an agreement with the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to expand the scope of a $491 million grant programme, allowing part of the funding to support infrastructure linked to the country’s critical minerals sector and the strategic Lobito Corridor. The grant, signed in 2024 under the MCC’s “farm-to-market” initiative,
Cameroon Advances Regional Trade Ambitions with Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo Railway Project
Cameroon Signs MoU for Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo Railway to Boost Regional Trade and Mining Logistics Cameroon has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of the Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo railway corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at strengthening freight connectivity between production centres, industrial zones and export gateways. The agreement was signed between the Government of Cameroon, Africa Global Logistics (AGL) and CAMALCO. According to a statement shared by the Kribi Port
South Africa Opens Freight Rail Network to Private Operators in Landmark Logistics Reform
Transnet Signs 11 Private Operators to Run Freight Rail as South Africa Launches Major Logistics Reform to Boost Exports Transnet has opened its freight rail network to private operators in the country’s most significant rail reform in decades, aiming to restore efficiency to a logistics system that has long constrained exports and economic growth. The state-owned logistics group has concluded agreements with 11 private rail operators who will begin running
UAE’s African Rail Company Targets South Africa Freight Rail Market Under Transnet Reform
ARC Plans $170M Entry into South Africa Rail Sector as Transnet Opens Network to Private Operators A United Arab Emirates–based rail logistics company, African Rail Company (ARC), is preparing to enter South Africa’s freight rail market as Transnet opens its network to private operators under its third-party access framework. ARC is aiming to raise approximately $170 million (about R2.8 billion) to fund the acquisition of locomotives and wagons for operations
Zambia to Begin Construction of Lobito Corridor Railway Link in 2026
Zambia to Launch Lobito Corridor Rail Construction in 2026 to Boost Copper and Cobalt Exports Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has confirmed that construction of a key railway link connecting the country’s mining regions to Angola’s Port of Lobito will begin later this year, marking significant progress on the Lobito Corridor project. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference after a meeting with the African Finance Corporation the project’s main promoter