Railnet International, Florida, USA, announced a $ 11 billion railroad project linking Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique with passenger and freight trains.
According to Reuters, negotiations are underway with the governments of the three countries and an agreement has already been signed to conduct a feasibility study for a section of the track in Zambia. According to forecasts, construction work will start in January 2021. The Magcor International Consortium (Canada) is ready to arrange financing for the project with the involvement of a group of investors.
The new line is planned to pass through the province of Zambia Copperbelt and the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, to the port of Beira in Mozambique. The $ 11 billion project includes the purchase of rolling stock (locomotives and wagons). The maximum speed of freight trains will be limited to 120 km / h, passenger trains – 160 km / h. The implementation of the project will expand trade and economic ties between the three countries and create new jobs, and mining companies will be able to transport goods by rail.
This project will complement a number of initiatives that Railnet International is promoting in Africa, including the modernization of 5,000 km lines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the creation of an 18,000 km Pan-African railway network linking Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Ghana. , Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Nigeria.