Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 16:2024 Espresso Bite-size takeaways TransNamib Announce Desmond Ernst Van Jaarsveld As The New CEO The Board of Directors of TransNamib has announced the appointment of Mr. Desmond Ernst Van Jaarsveld as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TransNamib, effective from 17 April 2024. Mr. Van Jaarsveld brings extensive experience in business and leadership to his new role at TransNamib, with over 30 years of professional experience in various industries. Opportunity Tanzania Intermodal Rail Development Project (TIRP-2) – consultancy services f ..read more

At the Land Linked Zambia Event held on April 4-5, 2024, in Zambia, we caught up with Mudiwa Mupfanochiya from Cornelder de Moçambique, S.A., for a “Coffee With the Editor” interview. Mudiwa provided an insightful overview of the operations and strategic role of the Port of Beira, managed by the private consortium formed through a partnership between the Mozambican public company Porto e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and the Cornelder Group, CdM, since 1998. The Port of Beira is strategically linked by two major railway lines, enhancing its connectivity across the region. The rehabili ..read more

Railways Africa Magazine’s “Coffee with the Editor” filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, features Johan Laubscher, CEO of Afri-Track Group Holdings & Afri-Track Railway Construction. Johan elaborates on Afri-Track’s strategic expansion plans, noting their ventures in South Africa, Botswana, and their home base in Namibia. According to Johan, the next stop is Zambia, as they now prepare to open a local office. https://youtu.be/4qE87IQVfrY Afri-Track has diversified its service offering over the last few years, transitioning from solely focusing on railway construction to enco ..read more

Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 15:2024 Espresso Bite-size takeaways Zambian Cabinet Endorses Accession To CCTTFA On April 9, 2024, the Zambian Cabinet endorsed the country’s accession to the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA). The CCTTFA is a pivotal transport and logistics infrastructure network that spans several countries, including Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and most recently, Malawi. This corridor is vital for enhancing regional and international trade competitiveness, especially for Zambia, which makes u ..read more

In this edition of Railways Africa Magazine’s ‘Coffee with the Editor,’ filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, we speak with Bruno Ching’andu, Managing Director of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). He discusses the current state and forward-looking strategies set to shape the future of TAZARA. Bruno Ching’andu acknowledges the challenges but also points to operational successes made possible by significant governmental support, including much-needed capital injections. This financial backing has enabled key enhancements such as the purchase of new traction motors an ..read more

In this edition of Railways Africa Magazine’s “Coffee with the Editor,” filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, we speak with Raymond Shoniwa, the General Manager of Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR). Raymond discusses some of the major breakthroughs, including the recent acquisition of three new locomotives and 150 wagons, which are being used for the recently concluded open access agreement with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). With fluctuations in lithium prices, BBR’s scope has broadened and the company is now transporting a diverse range of commodities including chrom ..read more

In this Coffee with the Editor, with Ir. Victor Kaluila Muzembe, Director of Planning for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC), we find out more about the strategic expansion and railway modernisation efforts amidst the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mining boom. We discuss how SNCC is opening its extensive railway network to private operators, securing significant private investments, and enhancing the economic landscape of the DRC. From increasing cargo capacity to connecting major urban centres like Kinshasa with vital mining regions. Featured Points: Overview of SN ..read more

In this Coffee with the Editor session, join us for an enlightening discussion with Webster Gonzo, the acting CEO of TransNamib, captured at the recently held Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event. Gonzo provides an update on Namibia’s major rail projects, including the strategic Trans-Kalahari Railway, the Kranzberg-Otjiwarongo, and the Trans-Zambezi initiatives, all supported significantly by the government. We discuss TransNamib’s efforts to modernise its ageing locomotive fleet, the procurement of new locomotives, and the adoption of leasing and open access to enhance operational efficiency. Webst ..read more

Join us as we explore the dynamic changes and strategic advancements at Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), in this Coffee with the Editor, filmed during the recently held Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event. Mr. Emmanuel Hachipuka, Chairperson of the Board, shares inside details on Zambia’s rail sector transformation.   We discuss the ambitious greenfield projects managed through the Zambian Ministry of Transport and Logistics, including the Chingola to Jimbe and the Chipata-Serenje lines, designed to enhance connectivity to major ports and boost trade across the region. Hear about some of the ..read more

Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 14:2024 Espresso Bite-size takeaways TAZARA Signs An Open Access Agreement With Bravo Group On 20 March, TAZARA Managing Director, Eng. Bruno Ching’andu, and Bravo Group Ltd Chairperson, Ms. Angelina Ngalula, signed an Open Access Agreement at the TAZARA Headquarters in Dar es Salaam. This agreement, resulting from a competitive tender process (Ref. TZR/SUD/HQ/OPEN ACCESS/2021/11) involving local, regional, and international rail operators, enables Bravo Group to deploy rolling stock on the TAZARA railway. The partnership aims to expand economic gro ..read more