• The NDS 2 strategy prioritizes rail rehabilitation to support mining and ease road pressure
• A new 217-km railway from Lion’s Den to Kafue will strengthen SADC connectivity
• Government aims to raise rail freight to 12 million tons by 2030, reducing logistics costs

As part of its new National Development Strategy (NDS 2, 2026–2030) valued at more than $2 billion, Zimbabwe plans to rehabilitate and expand its rail lines to facilitate the movement of bulk goods, mainly from the mining sector, while reducing pressure on its road infrastructure.

A flagship project under the strategy is the construction of a 217-kilometer railway linking Lion’s Den in Zimbabwe to Kafue in Zambia. This infrastructure is expected to further integrate Zimbabwe into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) rail network and ease north–south trade, especially with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The corridor is expected to support the movement of coal, minerals, and manufactured goods while reducing delays and logistics costs for local and regional companies.

The recent shift of freight from rail to road has, according to the government, caused significant damage to national highways, including the near collapse of the Bulawayo–Hwange road. Authorities estimate that rail could carry up to 12 million tons of freight by 2030, compared with 2.1 million tons in 2025, helping lower annual road maintenance and fuel expenses.

Alongside regional integration, NDS 2 includes the rehabilitation of 1,700 kilometers of track, the modernization of the Mutare–Harare–Chirundu and Mvuma–Manhize–Rusape corridors, and the acquisition of additional locomotives and wagons. These measures aim to improve train speed and safety while supporting mineral exports to neighboring markets.

Analysts say a stronger rail system could turn Zimbabwe into a regional logistics hub, reducing reliance on congested road networks and supporting local industrialization by enabling efficient transport of raw materials to processing and export zones. However, the success of the strategy will depend on securing financing, coordinating public–private partnerships, and upgrading aging infrastructure.

Henoc Dossa