Zambian Participation Shines at 2024 Southern Africa Railways Conference in Johannesburg
Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank Museba Tayali, has expressed his satisfaction with the strong turnout of Zambian stakeholders at the 2024 Southern Africa Railways Association (SARA) Conference and Exhibition, currently underway in Johannesburg.
The event has attracted significant participation from Zambia, including key players like Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
During his tour of the exhibition stands, Minister Tayali praised the active involvement of Zambian stakeholders, emphasizing that their presence should lead to improved service delivery in the country’s rail sector.
He noted the importance of such gatherings in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which are crucial for the advancement of Zambia’s railway infrastructure.
Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) Board Chairperson, Emmanuel Hachipuka, highlighted the critical role of strategic partnerships in driving growth within the rail sub-sector. He pointed out that governments alone cannot fund rail projects due to their capital-intensive nature, particularly given the need to address other competing priorities.
Hachipuka stressed the importance of networking with the private sector to secure the necessary investments for the sector’s development.
Hachipuka also revealed that ZRL has developed a new Strategic Business Plan (SBP) for the 2024-2028 period. This plan aims to address challenges related to railway infrastructure, rolling stock, human resources, and working capital, positioning the company to better meet the demands of the sector.
TAZARA Managing Director, Bruno Ching’andu, affirmed Africa’s commitment to building an efficient, connected, and modern rail sector. He noted that the SARA Conference provides a valuable platform for stakeholders to share experiences and collaborate on advancing the rail industry across the continent.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Mazuba Monze, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the conference’s importance in bringing together various stakeholders to engage with railway experts. She highlighted the potential of the rail sub-sector to unlock opportunities that contribute to economic growth, connectivity, and prosperity throughout Africa.
Monze also commended SARA for bringing together financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), technology giants like Huawei, and other suppliers to the rail sub-sector.
She underscored SARA’s role in advancing and modernizing railways across Southern Africa and beyond, thereby promoting regional and continental development through enhanced interconnectivity and cross-border operability.
