Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana and Zambia have reaffirmed their commitment for Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone (MKL) rail link projected, to deliver economic dividends and long term connectivity for Southern Africa and rest of Africa.
Speaking at the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting of The MKL rail link project in Kasane on Friday, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mr Noah Salakae said the proposed 430 kilometre rail corridor was a strategic investment presenting reduced logistics costs, decongested borders, diversified trade, and shared prosperity.
He said an infrastructure of this magnitude was a transformative opportunity which unlocked economies of scale and attracted more investment.
“We ensure the development of interconnected, future-ready infrastructure that supports trade, mobility, energy security and digital access while ensuring that our people see tangible improvements in their daily lives,” he said.
Mr Salakae stated that the MKL route mattered because the traditional alternative through Zimbabwe via the Victoria Falls Bridge built in 1906 imposed limitations as it permitted just five wagons per rake due to structural loading constraints.
He said the proposed shortest route held the advantage in comparison to other corridors in Southern Africa.
The minister said he was aware that a railway of this scale with estimated infrastructure costs of US$ 1.5 billion (about P20 billion) and traction investments of over US$ 130 million (about P1.7 billion) could not be sustained unless it carried 7.5 million tonnes of freight annually.
However, Mr Salakae said the existing road traffic across Kazungula totaled about 3.1 million tonnes per year and therefore, called for deliberate cargo mobilisation, operational scaling, and logistics modernisation, to reap optimum benefits of the MKL railway link.’
Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mr Museba Tayali saw the rail link as a strategic initiative that would solidify regional integration, drive economic prosperity, and significantly improve the lives of citizens when actualised.
He said Botswana and Zambia shared historic friendship and mutual benefits that transcended beyond diplomatic ties which were best symbolised by the Kazungula Bridge, a true testament that the two nations could achieve greatness together.
He said the MKL rail link served as a critical transport infrastructure, bolstering economies and strengthening the bonds between Zambia and Botswana, and the rest of SADC region.
The Joint Ministerial Committee is committed to determine suitable funding method to secure the capital required for construction, hence their commitment to assemble financial experts to start work immediately.
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