Private Train Operators Approved on 41 Routes: Rail Reform Set to Boost Jobs, Exports, and Efficiency The Department of Transport’s decision to grant 11 private train operators access to 41 rail routes is expected to strengthen competition, safeguard jobs, and revive South Africa’s struggling freight logistics system, according to Business Unity South Africa (Busa). Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced the milestone last Friday, calling it a critical step in the
Category: Railway News
Zambia Positioned as Key Player in Africa’s Rail Expansion
Zambia Key to Africa’s Rail Growth: South Africa Highlights TAZARA and Regional Corridors South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has highlighted Zambia’s pivotal role in Africa’s rail transformation, emphasizing the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and other regional corridors as essential drivers of trade and economic growth. Speaking at the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) International Rail Conference 2025 on Tuesday, Creecy called for a decisive shift from planning to
South Africa Opens Freight Rail Network to Private Operators to Boost Efficiency
South Africa Allows Private Operators on Freight Rail to Tackle Transnet Bottlenecks South Africa will open its freight rail network to private operators, the government announced Friday, in an effort to improve efficiency as state-owned Transnet grapples with persistent bottlenecks. Transnet, which manages the nation’s rail and port services, has faced equipment shortages, maintenance delays, and widespread cable theft, prompting calls for greater private sector involvement, Reuters reported. Transport Minister
Nigeria Unveils $60B High-Speed Rail Linking Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt
Nigeria Plans 4,000km High-Speed Rail Network to Connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt Nigeria has announced plans to construct a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network aimed at connecting key economic corridors, boosting trade, and promoting national integration. The announcement followed a meeting in Abuja between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the management of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited along with its financial partner, China
Tanzania and Burundi Break Ground on $2.15 Billion Cross-Border Standard Gauge Railway
Tanzania, Burundi Launch $2.15B Uvinza–Musongati SGR to Boost Trade and Regional Integration Tanzania and Burundi have officially launched construction of a state-of-the-art standard gauge railway (SGR) linking Uvinza in western Tanzania to Musongati in eastern Burundi. The 240-kilometre cross-border line, valued at over $2.15 billion, is the first of its kind in East Africa. The project was inaugurated with a foundation stone-laying ceremony led by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
Rail Link Between Kinshasa and Kongo-Central Nears Resumption After Successful Inspection
Kinshasa–Kongo-Central Railway Set to Resume Operations Following Track Inspection The long-awaited resumption of rail traffic between Kinshasa and Kongo-Central is drawing closer after a successful inspection of the railway line on Wednesday evening. The line runs from Kinshasa’s central station to Kasangulu. According to Eddy Eyoko, secretary of the Kasangulu territory, a locomotive pulling three luxury coaches made the journey to assess the condition of the track. “This field trip
Lobito Atlantic Railway Nears $533M US Loan to Boost Angola Rail Corridor
Lobito Atlantic Railway close to securing $533M US loan to modernize Angola’s key copper and cobalt export route Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) expects to finalize a $533 million loan agreement with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) by the end of this year, according to CEO Nicholas Fournier. The financing is crucial to upgrading its Angolan railway concession and strengthening a vital export corridor for critical minerals. The DFC
Lobito Atlantic Railways Strengthens Leadership with New CEO and Chairperson Appointments
Lobito Atlantic Railways Names Nicholas Fournier CEO and Alexandre Canas Chair to Drive Angola’s Transport Corridor Expansion Angola’s rail operator Lobito Atlantic Railways (LAR) has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Nicholas Fournier as CEO and Alexandre Canas as chairperson on August 19. The move marks the formal separation of the two roles, a step aimed at strengthening governance as the company enters a crucial phase of operational growth. With
Kenya Seeks $4 Billion to Expand China-Built Railway
Kenya to Raise $4B for Railway Expansion, in Talks With Etihad Rail for Freight Operations Kenya plans to raise $4 billion by securitising an import levy to fund the extension of its China-built standard gauge railway (SGR) and is in talks with Etihad Rail to operate freight services, Transport Secretary Davis Chirchir announced. Under the plan, Kenya Railways Corp. will oversee engineering and maintenance, while private operators—including Etihad Rail—would run
Transnet Faces Prolonged Cash Burn as S&P Downgrades Credit Rating
S&P Downgrades Transnet, Warns of Cash Burn Through 2027 Without Government Support Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned freight rail and ports operator, is expected to burn cash for at least the next three years, according to a new forecast by S&P Global Ratings, as reported by BusinessLive on Tuesday. Citing an unsustainable capital structure in the absence of ongoing state support, S&P downgraded Transnet’s credit rating. The agency also warned that