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
Category: Southern Africa
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
Namibia Expands Walvis Bay Port to Position Itself as Southern Africa’s Logistics Gateway
Namibia Invests $126.5M in Walvis Bay Port Upgrade to Rival South Africa’s Congested Trade Routes Namibia is accelerating its push to become a regional logistics hub with a $126.5 million upgrade of Walvis Bay Port, aimed at improving trade efficiency for landlocked neighbors. The project includes the addition of six rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, which will significantly boost container handling capacity and reduce vessel turnaround times. It is being implemented
$1.32 Billion Secured for Lobito Corridor Railway to Link Zambia’s Copperbelt to Global Markets via Angola
Africa Finance Corporation and AfDB Back $5 Billion Lobito Corridor Railway to Connect Zambia Copper Mines to Angola Port The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have each committed $500 million toward the development of the Lobito Corridor railway project, a strategic infrastructure link designed to connect Zambia’s copper-rich regions to global markets through the Angolan port of Lobito. In addition, Italy will contribute approximately $320
Cape Town Launches First Electric Buses for MyCiTi Network in Major Shift Toward Green Public Transport
Cape Town Introduces First Electric Buses for MyCiTi Network as City Accelerates Transition to Sustainable Public Transport Cape Town is set to receive its first electric bus in August, marking a major milestone in the city’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable public transport. The development forms part of a broader strategy to modernise the MyCiTi rapid transit system while reducing fuel costs and lowering carbon emissions. The initial delivery
Transport Minister Tayali Champions Zambia’s Land-Linked Vision Through Regional Corridor Development
Zambia’s Transport Minister Champions Zambia’s Land-Linked Vision Through Regional Transport Corridor Development Zambia is intensifying efforts to transform itself from a landlocked nation into a regional logistics and trade hub through sustained investment in transport infrastructure, corridor development, and regional cooperation, Minister of Transport and Logistics Hon. Museba Frank Tayali announced during the opening of the Land-Linked Zambia 2026 Conference in Lusaka. Speaking to government officials, industry leaders, and regional
Metso Expands African Footprint with New Bulk Materials Handling Hub in Cape Town
Metso Opens Cape Town Regional Hub to Support African Ports, Localisation and Bulk Materials Handling Growth Global industrial technology group Metso has expanded its bulk materials handling network with the opening of a new regional hub in Cape Town, strengthening its operational presence and service capacity across Africa’s port and mining sectors. The Finnish company, which supplies technologies, equipment and services to the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries
Flooding Disrupts Rail Traffic on Lobito Corridor, Halting Key Mineral Export Route
Severe Floods in Angola Suspend Lobito Corridor Rail Operations, Threatening Copper and Cobalt Exports from Central Africa Severe flooding in western Angola has forced the suspension of rail traffic along the Lobito Corridor, disrupting a critical export route for minerals from the region’s mining sector. The line operator, Lobito Atlantic Railway, reported that “significant damage” was sustained to railway infrastructure near the Halo River between Cubal and Caimbambo, approximately 140