Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco Highlights Zimbabwe’s Rail Integration, Open Access Policy and Regional Cooperation during SARA Ministerial Panel
During the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Ministerial Panel, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Hon Joshua Sacco, outlined Zimbabwe’s priorities for regional integration, infrastructure rehabilitation, and the shift towards open access in the railway sector. He stressed the importance of collaboration with neighbouring countries, the need to move freight from road to rail, and legislative reforms to support private sector participation.
Zimbabwe’s Role in Regional Connectivity
Sacco emphasised Zimbabwe’s central geographic position in Southern Africa, noting its role as a land-linked country connecting South Africa to the north, Mozambique to the east, Botswana and Namibia to the west, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the north. He acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s railway infrastructure is outdated and requires both rehabilitation and upgrading in order to support the African Continental Free Trade Area and the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Plan.
Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth makes rail critical for freight movement, but much of the current trade from Zambia and the DRC to Beira is transported by road, causing congestion and damage. Sacco identified the proposed link between Lion’s Den, north of Harare, and Kafue in Zambia as a game-changing project to shift freight from road to rail.
He also highlighted the proposed 1,700-kilometre Techobanine Corridor, connecting Zimbabwe and Botswana to a deepwater port in Mozambique. Valued at approximately USD 6.5 billion, the project is under discussion with the African Development Bank for feasibility studies. In the meantime, Zimbabwe is working with Mozambique and Botswana on repairing existing infrastructure to keep current corridors functional.
Open Access and Partnerships
Sacco said Zimbabwe is moving towards an open access framework, separating infrastructure ownership from train operations. He pointed to the Beitbridge–Bulawayo Railway (BBR) as a success story and noted existing partnerships with mining companies that move freight by rail. He explained that increased open access would promote competition and efficiency, while government regulation would ensure fair and effective implementation.
He added that Zimbabwe’s approach mirrors South Africa’s recent adoption of an open access policy, and emphasised that governments must develop regulatory capacity to manage the framework properly.
Collaboration with Neighbours and Border Upgrades
On regional integration, Sacco highlighted collaboration with Mozambique on the Beira–Machipanda–Mutare–Harare line, which has been rehabilitated as far as Mutare and will extend towards Harare. Cooperation with Transnet to the south is also key, with the north–south corridor identified as a priority.
Sacco said that border post upgrades are critical to removing bottlenecks. The Beitbridge border post has already been modernised to enable seamless freight movement, while plans are underway to upgrade Forbes–Machipanda on the Mozambique border, with groundbreaking expected within months. Work is also progressing on developing a one-stop border post at Chirundu on the Zambian border.
He noted that greater regional collaboration should include cross-border open access, where operators from South Africa, Mozambique, and Botswana could run services into Zimbabwe, and vice versa. He compared this to the “open skies” policy in aviation, suggesting it would open up the rail sector, create competition, and improve efficiency.
State Ownership of Infrastructure
Responding to a question about why Zimbabwe intends to keep infrastructure state-owned, Sacco explained that while train operations, passenger services, and freight movement should be opened to private participation, the infrastructure must remain under government control. This ensures it can also be used for social services such as commuter transport and prevents private ownership from creating risks of monopoly control.
He said concessionary arrangements for investment in infrastructure would be possible, but the underlying network should remain state-owned, with rolling stock and services being opened to private players.
Diversifying Volumes and Industrialisation
Sacco noted that while mining and minerals dominate current freight volumes, Zimbabwe is working towards diversification through value addition and industrialisation. He cited lithium processing and the establishment of a large steel manufacturing company in central Zimbabwe as examples.
Beyond minerals, agriculture and tourism are also priorities. He highlighted the reintroduction of the Blue Train from South Africa to Victoria Falls, plans to expand intercity services within Zimbabwe, and commuter trains from satellite towns into Harare. These initiatives are aimed at supporting broader economic activity and passenger mobility alongside exports.
Legislative Reform and Regional Cooperation
Looking ahead, Sacco said legislative reforms are underway to align with modern frameworks and that Zimbabwe is working towards ratifying the Luxembourg Rail Protocol. He suggested that SADC countries should consider establishing a regional rail development fund to pool financing for large-scale projects, avoiding situations where individual countries develop rail projects that end at their borders.
He stressed the importance of political will and leadership in driving this agenda, adding that the region can learn from earlier mistakes in rail reform elsewhere. Sacco concluded by calling for collaboration on mega projects, regional investment frameworks, and greater private sector access to create an efficient, interoperable railway system to support trade and economic growth.
