SARA Rail Conference

03/06/2026

Traxtion has secured an $8.6 million investment, unlocking the final equity funding needed for its ambitious R3.4 billion rolling stock programme and positioning the company for its next phase of growth.

The investment will help deliver:
• Expanded rail freight operations
• Upgraded locomotive and rolling stock capabilities
• Additional capacity across key freight corridors

At the heart of the programme are:
• 46 locomotives
• 920 wagons

With the first locomotives expected to enter service in March 2027, the investment represents more than fleet growth. It is also expected to boost localisation through a minimum local content target of 60% and create an estimated 662 direct jobs during the build and deployment phase.

The participation of STANLIB Infrastructure Investments, Standard Bank and Harith reflects growing recognition of rail as a key driver of logistics efficiency, economic growth, and the strengthening of South Africa’s freight network.

The timing of the investment also aligns with ongoing rail reform progress and anticipated regulatory developments, including Version 4 of the Network Statement, which is expected to enable greater private-sector participation.

As South Africa looks to move more freight by rail and ease pressure on its logistics network, investments of this scale are becoming increasingly important for improving supply chain resilience, supporting trade, and strengthening the country's long-term competitiveness.

📷: Traxtion

02/06/2026

The Southern African Railways Association (SARA), in partnership with the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) and Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), recently visited Surtees Railway Supplies and Surtees Engineering for a site engagement focused on localisation, maintenance capability, and the role of homegrown suppliers in strengthening Southern Africa’s rail ecosystem.

The visit provided valuable insight into Surtees' contribution to the rail industry through the supply, refurbishment, and manufacture of critical rail components. With decades of experience supporting locomotive and rolling stock operators across the region, the company plays an important role in ensuring the availability of parts and technical solutions required to keep rail networks operating efficiently.

A key area of focus was the company’s commitment to localisation. Through reverse engineering, local manufacturing, and strategic sourcing, Surtees continues to develop alternatives to imported components where feasible, helping to strengthen domestic supply chains and support greater self-sufficiency within the rail sector.

The engagement also highlighted the capabilities of Surtees Engineering, which specialises in the refurbishment and manufacture of wheelsets, axles, bogies, and other critical rolling stock components. These maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services are essential to extending asset life, improving reliability, and reducing operational costs for rail operators across the region.

Discussions further underscored the challenges and opportunities facing local manufacturers, particularly the need to protect and grow industrial capability within Southern Africa. The delegation explored how greater collaboration between operators, suppliers, industry associations, and government stakeholders can create new opportunities for local businesses while reducing dependence on imported products.

In addition, skills development and technical expertise remain central to the company’s operations. By investing in engineering capabilities and specialist knowledge, Surtees is helping to ensure that the rail sector retains the skills required to support both current operations and future growth.

Key takeaways from the visit:
• The importance of strengthening local rail supply chains through localisation initiatives
• The critical role of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in sustaining rail operations
• The value of reverse engineering and local manufacturing in reducing reliance on imports
• The need to preserve and expand rail engineering expertise within Southern Africa
• Stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders to support long-term sector growth

The visit reinforced the important role that companies such as Surtees play in supporting a resilient, efficient, and locally driven rail industry. By combining engineering expertise, maintenance capability, and a commitment to localisation, the company continues to contribute to the sustainable development of rail across Southern Africa.

28/05/2026

Effective 1 June: Tanzania Launches Direct Port-to-Rail Cargo System to Boost Trade Efficiency

Tanzania’s move to integrate direct port-to-rail cargo systems through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it’s a strategic economic shift that could redefine trade efficiency across East and Central Africa, with wider implications for Southern Africa’s trade corridors and logistics networks.

By allowing cargo to move directly from the Port of Dar es Salaam onto rail networks, Tanzania is reducing congestion, cutting logistics costs, improving turnaround times, and strengthening its position as a regional trade gateway linking landlocked Southern African markets to global shipping routes.

This is what modern economic competitiveness looks like:
✅ Faster cargo movement
✅ Reduced pressure on road infrastructure
✅ Improved regional trade integration
✅ Lower operational costs for businesses
✅ Greater investor confidence in logistics systems

For African economies looking to unlock growth, transport and logistics infrastructure can no longer be viewed as support functions; they are economic enablers. Tanzania’s rail expansion and dry port investments are demonstrating how integrated infrastructure can directly influence trade volumes, industrial growth, and regional connectivity across SADC and beyond.

As supply chains become increasingly time-sensitive and globally competitive, countries that modernise freight mobility will have a major advantage in attracting investment and facilitating cross-border commerce across Southern and Eastern Africa’s trade routes.

Africa’s growth story will not only be written in boardrooms, but also through the efficiency of its ports, rail systems, and trade corridors.

26/05/2026

Southern Africa’s rail sector is quietly moving into a new phase of freight capacity expansion, and Eswatini is positioning itself firmly within that momentum.

Eswatini Railways is preparing to operate 84-wagon freight trains following the successful testing of a loaded magnetite train across its rail network, a move aimed at significantly increasing freight capacity and improving operational efficiency.

The test train travelled from Phalaborwa in South Africa to Richards Bay via Eswatini before returning successfully, demonstrating the railway’s ability to accommodate longer freight operations across most of its network.

The railway operator confirmed that almost all crossing loops and stations were able to handle the 84-wagon train configuration, with Lavumisa Station identified as the only station currently shorter than the required train length.

The development forms part of Eswatini Railways’ broader freight expansion plans for the 2026–2027 financial year, particularly around magnetite and rock phosphate transportation.

For magnetite movement, Eswatini Railways is planning:
• 1,159 loaded trains
• A base tonnage of 5,842,368 tons
• An additional 292,068 tons from the extended wagon configuration
• Total projected magnetite volumes exceeding 6 million tons

For rock phosphate movement, the operator is targeting:
• 202 loaded trains
• A base tonnage of 1,016,064 tons
• An additional 50,904 tons through extended wagons

Combined, the increased train capacity is expected to add 342,972 tons to freight volumes.

Eswatini Railways currently transports more than 8 million tonnes of freight annually across its 301km network linking Eswatini with South Africa and Mozambique, while supporting cargo flows to key regional ports.

The shift towards longer freight trains reflects ongoing efforts to improve cargo throughput, strengthen rail efficiency, and support growing freight demand across regional trade corridors.

25/05/2026

Africa Day reminds us of the power of unity, innovation, and collective progress in shaping the continent’s future. As Africa continues to grow through investment and regional connectivity, we celebrate the people, ideas, and opportunities driving a stronger, more connected tomorrow.

24/05/2026

The Mozambique–Zimbabwe rail corridor linking the Port of Maputo to Zimbabwe has officially reopened after a four-month closure caused by severe flooding earlier this year. The reopening restores a key freight and passenger route that supports regional trade across Southern Africa. Traffic officially resumed on 1 May 2026 after repairs were completed.

Why this matters:
• Faster movement of imports and exports through the Port of Maputo
• Reduced pressure on regional trucking and border congestion
• Improved supply chain reliability for mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors
• Stronger regional integration and trade connectivity within SADC
• A reminder of how climate-related disruptions continue to impact transport infrastructure across Africa

The reopening also highlights the growing importance of rail revitalisation in Southern Africa to improve logistics efficiency, reduce transport costs, and strengthen cross-border trade resilience.

22/05/2026

Rail infrastructure recovery and investment continue to play a critical role in strengthening logistics, trade, and regional connectivity across Africa.

In Angola, the Benguela–Luau railway line is set to resume services within the next six weeks, marking an important step toward restoring mobility and freight movement along one of the country’s most strategic corridors.

However, recovery efforts remain ongoing, with the railway bridge over the Cavaco River in Benguela only expected to be fully rebuilt by May 2027, underscoring the longer timelines often required to fully restore critical infrastructure after climate-related damage.

The Benguela Corridor remains a vital trade artery, linking the Port of Lobito to inland regions and serving as a key route for mineral exports and regional freight movement across Southern Africa.

While service restoration brings immediate relief for logistics and passenger connectivity, the longer-term reconstruction highlights the complexity of building resilience into Africa’s rail networks.

Beyond the immediate recovery, this development reflects broader priorities shaping the continent’s rail sector:
• Restoring operational continuity on strategic corridors
• Rebuilding climate-damaged infrastructure
• Strengthening long-term resilience of key transport nodes such as bridges and river crossings

These investments and recovery efforts underscore the continued importance of rail as a backbone for trade, industrial activity, and regional integration across Africa.

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

15/05/2026

Following the Traxtion Excellence Awards ceremony in 2025, Traxtion continues to build on its success by investing in its employees and recognising the individual efforts that drive its achievements, reinforcing that excellence remains at the core of its business as it marks 39 years in operation.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from the Chief Executive Officer, James Holley, who reflected on Traxtion’s 39-year journey and recognised that the company’s continued success and growth have been driven by the dedication, resilience, and commitment of its employees throughout the years.

The flexibility and resilience of the Traxtion team in meeting and overcoming challenges continue to position the company as a leader in railway leasing and operations on the African continent.

In addition to employees, Traxtion hosted several key stakeholders at this year’s event, including the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), Lucchini, and the Southern African Railways Association (SARA).

The current Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Safety Regulator is Brian Monakali. His keynote address focused on the importance of excellence, safety, and innovation in the rail industry, highlighting how world-class railway systems drive economic growth and national development.

Concluding his speech, Monakali called on government, operators, regulators, and industry partners to work together to rebuild a safer, smarter, and more competitive rail sector capable of supporting future generations.

The Traxtion Excellence Awards consist of 9 categories, alongside Long Service Awards:
• The CEO Award
• The Safety Award
• The Quality Award
• Traxtion Apprentice of the Year
• The Honorary Award
• Graduates Award
• ⁠Behind the scenes award
• ⁠Rising star award
• ⁠Paragon award awarded to Lucchini, a supplier to the business

Long Service Awards recognise employees for 10, 15, and 20 years of service.