Africast Zambia | Rail Giants at the Center of Land-Linked Zambia 2026

Rail Giants at the Center of Land-Linked Zambia 2026

Published: 30 March 2026

The regional movement toward a "Land-Linked" Africa is gaining unstoppable momentum, backed by massive infrastructure investment and world-class technical partnerships.

Following the confirmation of six major SADC ports, we are proud to announce that the "Iron Spine" of Southern Africa — TAZARA, Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), Botswana Railways, the Southern African Railway Association (SARA), Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), Traxtion, Congo Railways, Transnet, CFM and many more — will be joining the conversation at Land-Linked Zambia 2026.

This year, the dialogue is further strengthened by the participation of global industry leaders like Calabash and Plasser & Theurer, bringing unparalleled private-sector expertise and engineering precision to the table.

Why this matters for our Stakeholders:

• Strategic Nexus: From the Lobito Corridor to the $1.4 billion TAZARA revitalization, Zambia is the central hub where these multi-billion dollar "physical highways" meet.

• Modernized Infrastructure & Engineering: With the €50 million (K1.4 billion) EU grant dedicated to rehabilitating the Livingstone–Ndola line, the focus is on long-term sustainability. The involvement of Plasser & Theurer ensures that Zambia’s railway infrastructure is maintained and upgraded using world-class track technology.

• Private Sector Power & Capacity: The entry of Traxtion, Africa’s largest private rail operator, signals a new era of efficiency. Their expertise in locomotive leasing and maintenance complements ongoing investments to refurbish ZRL’s high-powered GT units, ensuring a reliable fleet for mining houses and bulk cargo operators.

When rail, sea, and private enterprise connect, the cost of doing business drops significantly, and policies like SI 7 of 2018 begin to deliver real value. At Land-Linked Zambia, you are not just hearing about the future of transport — you are meeting the partners who are providing the horsepower and infrastructure to make it a reality.

Join us in Lusaka as we move Beyond Borders.