Botswana Border Policy Fuels Delays, Congestion on Trans Kalahari Corridor as Calls Grow for Regional Coordination As trade volumes continue to surge across southern Africa, the urgency for harmonised policies and coordinated regional logistics has become more critical—particularly along vital trade arteries like the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC). A unilateral decision by Botswana in November 2024 to halt the consolidation of cargo at its borders has had far-reaching consequences. The
Category: Southern Africa
South Africa’s Rail Sector Shows Signs of Recovery as Road Freight Declines
South Africa Rail Freight Rises to 17.9% in 2024 as Road Transport Contracts by 8.3% South Africa’s freight transport landscape is undergoing a gradual shift, with rail freight beginning to recover while road freight shows signs of contraction, according to independent economist Elize Kruger. After reaching nearly 90% of total freight payload in November 2022, the volume of goods transported by road has steadily declined, now accounting for approximately 82.1%.
Zambia Sets 2026 Date for Construction of Lobito Corridor Railway
Zambia to Begin Lobito Corridor Railway Construction in Q3 2026, Boosting Copper Exports and Trade Links with Angola Zambia plans to begin construction of the Lobito Corridor railway—a key cross-border infrastructure project connecting its Copperbelt region to Angola’s Atlantic coast—by the third quarter of 2026, according to Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali. The railway will span approximately 530 kilometres, linking Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province to Luacano in Angola.
US-Brokered Peace Deal Between DRC and Rwanda Paves Way for Mineral Investment via Lobito Corridor
US Secures Access to DRC Minerals After Landmark Peace Agreement with Rwanda Boosts Lobito Corridor Plans The United States has secured a major diplomatic and strategic win in its push to access mineral-rich ore deposits from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), just days after Zambia confirmed it will proceed with construction on a key rail link to the Lobito Corridor. In a landmark development, the US—working alongside Qatar
Container Losses Double in 2024 as Red Sea Crisis Forces Global Shipping to Riskier Cape Route
Cape Route Chaos: Surge in Containers Lost at Sea as Global Shipping Reroutes Around Africa Global shipping has entered a period of heightened operational risk, with the number of containers lost at sea more than doubling in 2024 compared to the previous year. New data from the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) attributes the increase to a surge in vessels rerouting around the
S&P Downgrades Transnet Amid Mounting Debt and Reliance on State Support
S&P Lowers Transnet’s Credit Rating to B+ as Financial Struggles Deepen Despite R51 Billion Government Guarantee Transnet has suffered a major financial setback, with S&P Global Ratings downgrading its long-term issuer credit rating and senior unsecured debt from ‘BB-’ to ‘B+’. The move underscores the state-owned logistics company’s fragile financial position, exacerbated by years of bailouts and growing reliance on government guarantees. Over the past five years, Transnet has received
TAAG Launches New Luanda–Nairobi Route to Strengthen Regional Connectivity
TAAG Angola Airlines has announced the launch of a new direct route between Luanda and Nairobi, starting 1 September. The airline will operate three weekly flights, enhancing connectivity between Southern and East Africa. In a statement released Tuesday, TAAG emphasized Nairobi’s role as a major regional hub, serving as a key transit point between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The airline also highlighted Kenya’s status as one of the most dynamic
Samsung Heavy Secures $637M Deal for New LNG Facility in Mozambique
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries, the world’s fifth-largest shipbuilder according to Lloyd’s List, has secured a $637 million contract to construct a cutting-edge offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility for a European client operating in Mozambique. The agreement, which marks another significant milestone in Africa’s growing LNG sector, involves the construction of a floating LNG (FLNG) platform to tap into Mozambique’s vast offshore gas reserves. The deal follows Samsung’s earlier
Strategic Rail Investments Position Africa as Global Mining Powerhouse
Africa’s railway sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious infrastructure projects that aim to unlock the continent’s vast mineral wealth and strengthen global trade connections. At the heart of this renaissance is the development of strategic transport corridors that are rapidly reshaping regional logistics. In June 2025, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italian development finance institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The
Proflight Zambia Champions Unified Aviation for Africa’s Growth
Proflight Zambia is spearheading efforts to foster a unified and connected African aviation industry, advocating for critical investments in infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and aligned policies to unlock the continent’s vast air travel potential. During the 2025 Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) and the ICAO African & Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week held in Victoria Falls, Proflight executives underscored the urgent need for collaboration to enhance intra-African connectivity. Keira Langford Johnson, Proflight’s