By Simbarashe Muparaganda
Bulawayo, September 16,2026 (New Ziana)-Government is committed to the comprehensive recapitalisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe(NRZ) through rehabilitation of rail tracks, upgrading of signalling systems and acquisition of new locomotives, a Cabinet Minister said on Thursday.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona said this during the commissioning of locomotives and wagons refurbished under a public-private partnership between NRZ and Zimasco.
The event marked the commissioning of 100 high-sided wagons and three locomotives refurbished through a US$2,8 million partnership between NRZ and ferrochrome producer Zimasco.
“As the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, we remain steadfastly committed to the comprehensive recapitalisation of NRZ.
“In collaboration with the Mutapa Investment Fund, we are pursuing partnerships to rehabilitate tracks, upgrade signalling systems, and procure new locomotives through the Afreximbank facility and a Resource Finance Investment model with China Railway International Group,” Mhona said, adding that government was pursuing several funding and investment models to restore the national rail operator’s capacity.
Hea highlighted that the arrangement offered a practical financing model, under which Zimasco funded the overhaul of idle wagons in exchange for freight-charge offsets, while securing a more reliable route to export markets through regional ports including Beira and Maputo.
“At the same time, NRZ has expanded its operational rolling stock capacity without placing an immediate fiscal burden on the Treasury,” he indicated.
“This is precisely the kind of self-sustaining, innovative project financing that our Ministry champions,” Mhona explained.
He noted that a functional railway system was central to the country’s industrialisation and economic growth agenda under the National Development Strategy (NDS2), particularly for moving heavy mining and industrial cargo.
“Rail remains the most cost-effective, bulk-carrying, and safest mode of transport for our heavy industrial and mining output,” Mhona highlighted.
He further said that restoring the locomotives and wagons would reduce reliance on road haulage, helping preserve the country’s rehabilitated road network while easing logistical bottlenecks for chrome and ferrochrome exports.
“The commissioning of these wagons will immediately ease bottlenecks in the logistics value chain.
“It will ensure that Zimasco’s chrome products reach regional ports safely, predictably, and competitively—making Zimbabwean exports more attractive on the global stage,” Mhona said.
He also pointed to the US$10 million rehabilitation of the Chicualacuala–Plumtree and Machipanda–Harare railway lines, which he indicated was a product of a tripartite cooperation agreement among Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
Mhona said that the Ministry was supporting rail modernisation through annual Public Sector Investment Programme allocations and had strengthened cooperation with South Africa on reviving rail services along the North-South Corridor.
He challenged mining companies, agricultural producers and liquid-fuel importers to participate in similar partnerships through wagon and locomotive refurbishments, leasing arrangements or new procurement.
“The commissioning demonstrates that while we pursue large-scale recapitalisation, immediate and tangible victories can be achieved through targeted private sector collaboration,” he emphasised.
New Ziana
