Zimbabwe's Vision for railway expansion highlighted
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Hon Joshua Sacco, took centre stage with a compelling statement at the annual Southern African Railways Association (SARA) event, held on October 25-26, 2023, in Johannesburg. The deputy minister’s speech encapsulated the theme of this year’s conference: “Enhancing railway capacity and quality of services through new operating models and partnerships for seamless regional integration and trade.”
The conference’s significance was amplified by its timing — a period when the African railway sector is transitioning from mere existence to becoming service-oriented. The deputy minister praised the efforts of SARA in orchestrating such a critical event for stakeholders to dissect growth opportunities, industry innovations, and persistent challenges, ultimately forging solutions.
Hon Sacco underscored Zimbabwe’s pivotal geographic positioning in the SADC railway network, serving as a linchpin for goods traversing from South African and Mozambican ports to the northern hinterland and vice versa. This strategic location necessitates an efficient railway system to bolster regional trade, in alignment with the SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the ambitious goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In his speech, Hon Sacco reaffirmed the commitment of Zimbabwe’s government, led by President Dr. Ed Mnangagwa, to revitalize the railway sector, citing the president’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” — “Our country is for us to build.” This sentiment reflects the national ethos that domestic development is a fundamental responsibility and not one to be outsourced.
The deputy minister also touched on the debilitating impact of sanctions imposed since the turn of the century, which have stymied the railway sector’s progress. Despite these challenges, there was a note of gratitude extended to SADC members for their solidarity against these sanctions, notably on the proclaimed anti-sanctions day, coincidentally aligning with the conference date- 25 October.
Despite such hardships, Zimbabwe’s resolve remains unwavering. The government has initiated various recapitalization strategies for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), looking inward for sustainable, home-grown solutions. This includes fostering partnerships with private entities, particularly mining companies, to bolster infrastructure and open new routes to burgeoning industrial sites — notably the anticipated lithium and steel plants that promise to further integrate Zimbabwe into the global commodities market.
The government’s engagement with multilateral development finance institutions for the acquisition of new rolling stock signals the urgent drive to enhance NRZ’s capacity. The allocation of national budget resources for track rehabilitation underpins these efforts, ensuring the swift and seamless transport of goods.
The deputy minister illuminated the strategic Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that NRZ is cultivating, in line with the conference’s theme, to augment its operational capacity. A prime example is the collaboration with Botswana Railways, introducing a ‘trains working through arrangement’, effectively reducing border delays and ensuring the fluid movement of freight across territories.
As the speech drew to a close, Hon Sacco emphasized the need for collective regional effort in railway infrastructure investment, eschewing piecemeal funding in favour of comprehensive, regional strategies. This call for shared prosperity resonates with the envisaged regional connectivity, presenting Zimbabwe not just as a beneficiary but as a keen participant in the railway sector’s future.
The Deputy Minister concluded his address by extending an invitation to investors and industry players: With Zimbabwe’s doors open for business, now is the opportune moment to invest in a country poised for a railway renaissance.
