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ZAMBIA RAILWAYS LIMITED SEEKS PARTNERSHIPS

Zambia Railways Limited acting Managing Director Engineer Fred Mwila says the Railway Company is seeking smart partnerships to acquire funding for the recapitalization of the railway infrastructure and rolling stock.

Speaking at the just-ended Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Conference which was held in South Africa , Engineer Mwila said the event provided an ideal platform for key decision makers to engage directly with sponsors, exhibitors, and delegates attending the SARA event.

He said the rail share in Zambia is less than 10% due to the lack of adequate capacity track and rolling stock due to lack of investment. Eng. Mwila said it is for this reason that the company is targeting smart partnerships.

He said forging partnerships, especially with the private sector, is aimed at deploying technology such as signalling and telecommunications, traffic monitoring, and surveillance, among others.

“The conference created a platform that brought together stakeholders from the railway industry to share knowledge and experiences with a view to improving railway performance and contributing to economic growth.

“Such conferences play a significant role in advancing the agenda on regional rail connectivity and achieving a harmonized regional railway policy. Zambia Railways Limited took advantage of the forum to network and forge partnerships with various stakeholders such as financiers, suppliers of railway infrastructure, and rolling stock spares,” Eng. Mwila said.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Ms. Mazuba Monze said she is happy that there was a delegation from Zambia to take part in the high level conference.

Ms. Monze expressed hope that the knowledge shared will go a long way in making Zambia Railways Limited more viable.

The Southern African Railway Associations event is Africa’s only railway event hosted by Railway Operators and Transport Ministers from the region.

The theme of the conference was enhancing railway capacity and quality of services through operating models and partnerships for seamless regional integration and trade.

The event was held from 25^th to 27^th October, 2023.

This is according to a statement issued by the First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in South Africa Ms. Tamara Nyirenda.