WATCH: Zimbabwe, Zambia sign railway MOU to boost regional trade

ZIMBABWE and Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of the Lion’s Den to Kafue railway line, a project expected to promote regional trade and unlock economic opportunities across southern Africa.

The MOU was signed on Saturday by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona and his Zambian counterpart Frank Tayali during the meeting of the Emerging Railways Properties (Pvt) Limited (ERP) Council of Ministers in Victoria Falls.

The 311 km railway spur will run from Kafue in Zambia to Lion’s Den in Zimbabwe, passing through Chirundu, Hurungwe National Park, Makuti Denis, and Chakuti.

The line will feature 16 stations and two marshalling yards, using the 1067 mm Cape Gauge with provisions for future upgrade to Standard Gauge.

The railway will slash transit distances 800 km shorter to the port of Beira compared to the North-South corridor, 1 000 km shorter to South African ports, and 500 km shorter to Dar es Salaam – significantly lowering logistics costs.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, hailed the project’s potential.

“This railway will reduce transit distances significantly, cutting 800 kilometres to Beira port, and is estimated at US$2.18 billion. Mozambique’s involvement is critical to avoid bottlenecks, as the line extends 762 km from Lion’s Den to Beira through Harare,” said Eng Makumbe.

The project follows the existing highway alignment, with 94 km in Zambia and 217 km in Zimbabwe. Rehabilitation of the 445 km Zimbabwean portion to Machipanda border post will ensure seamless cargo movement to Mozambique’s coast.