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)
Category: Southern Africa
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,
Lobito Atlantic Railway Expands Mineral Logistics with Major Manganese Shipment
14,000-Ton Manganese Delivery Highlights Growth of Lobito Atlantic Railway Operations Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has successfully received and handled a shipment of approximately 14,000 tons of manganese at the Port of Lobito Mining Terminal, marking a significant step in strengthening its regional logistics and mineral transportation capabilities. The operation required close coordination between multiple operational teams and logistics partners to ensure safe, efficient, and well-controlled unloading and handling processes. According
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
Transnet Reports Strong Growth Across South African Ports as Cargo Volumes Reach Multi-Year High
South Africa’s Transnet Records 9% Rise in Vessel Arrivals and Strongest Port Cargo Growth Since 2011 South Africa’s state-owned logistics company, Transnet, has reported strong growth across the country’s port system for the 2025/26 financial year, signaling improving trade activity and growing confidence in the country’s logistics sector. The company announced a 9% year-on-year increase in vessel arrivals, alongside notable gains in cargo volumes across several major categories. According to
Namibian Ports Handle 8.4 Million Tonnes in 2025 as South Africa and Zambia Dominate Cargo Flows
South Africa and Zambia Account for Nearly 70% of Namibia’s Cross-Border Port Cargo in 2025 Amid 19% Trade Growth Surge In 2025, 35% of all cross-border cargo processed at Namibian ports came from South Africa, with Zambia contributing 34%, collectively accounting for almost 70% of the total. Botswana’s share was 18%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at 10%, and Malawi at 8%. This data is sourced
Severe Groblersbrug Congestion Slows Cross-Border Trade and Raises Trucking Costs in Southern Africa
SARS Approves Diversion of Cargo as Groblersbrug Border Congestion Drives Up Transport Costs and Delays The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has approved the diversion of pre-cleared cross-border cargo to alternative entry points into Botswana in an effort to ease severe congestion at the Groblersbrug Border Post (GRB). The intervention comes after ongoing bottlenecks along the N11 corridor, which has become a major choke point for regional freight movement, significantly
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
Zambia and Zimbabwe Plan New Zambezi Bridge to Boost Trade and Protect Victoria Falls Landmark
Zambia and Zimbabwe to Build New Zambezi Bridge for Freight as Victoria Falls Bridge Shifts to Tourism Use Zambia and Zimbabwe have announced plans to construct a new road and rail bridge across the Zambezi River, aiming to improve freight movement while preserving the historic Victoria Falls Bridge. The new structure will be built a few kilometers downstream and is designed to handle heavy cargo traffic, including freight trains and