Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE and Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of the Lion’s Den Kafue railway, a major infrastructure project expected to transform regional trade and unlock economic opportunities.
The ambitious project, estimated to cost over US$2 billion, aims to modernise the transport corridor between the two countries while improving access to international markets.
The proposed railway will span approximately 311 kilometres, with 217 kilometres in Zimbabwe and 94 kilometres in Zambia. The line is set to follow the existing highway route, passing through several key districts and ecological zones.
The project is expected to significantly reduce transit distances for inland cargo. By connecting to the port of Beira in Mozambique, the new route will offer a faster alternative to traditional corridors.
The railway is projected to be about 800 kilometres shorter to Beira than the current North-South corridor, 1 000 kilometres shorter than routes to South African ports, and 500 kilometres shorter than the distance to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
To ensure seamless cargo movement and avoid technical bottlenecks, the project also includes rehabilitation of 445 kilometres of existing railway infrastructure in Zimbabwe towards the Mozambican border.
The integrated regional strategy is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, strengthen regional trade and unlock the project’s full economic potential.
