Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) plans to establish a state-of-the-art concrete sleeper manufacturing plant, a move set to transform the country’s rail infrastructure and expand regional trade opportunities.
The $2.4 million facility will play a crucial role in refurbishing and maintaining existing railway tracks while also supporting the development of new routes to better serve clients and stakeholders.
Speaking at the two-day Bulawayo Investment Indaba, NRZ chief strategy and planning manager Jacob Chionyere said the plant is expected to produce 60 000 concrete sleepers annually, with 60 percent allocated for NRZ operations and the remaining 40 percent available for export to regional markets.
“The concrete manufacturing plant we intend to establish will help us cover both existing and proposed rail routes. We have operational routes and others with potential for investor partnerships, creating a growing demand for concrete sleepers.”
He outlined the project’s broader scope, saying the goal is to set up a production plant for pre-stressed monolithic and rail products, supplying both third-party and tech market demands.
“We can also serve rail companies in neighbouring countries like Botswana and Zambia and also other countries beyond our borders,” he said.
Chionyere explained that the project requires $2.2 million in external funding, with the balance to be financed through NRZ internal resources.
“The financing structure includes concessionary loans, grants, debt, equity, or strategic partnerships. We anticipate generating about $2.6 million in revenue, though feasibility and market analysis are still underway,” he said.
He said the project will also require regulatory requirements including operating licenses, registration with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), and environmental compliance.
However, Chionyere highlighted the long-term benefits that include cutting costs and saving foreign currency.
“Currently, most of our concrete sleepers are imported, and even locally sourced ones are priced in hard currency. With our own plant, we can leverage our own Naratari quarry to produce aggregates, reducing expenses and boosting self-sufficiency,” he said.
He also indicated that the plant will also allow NRZ to improve sleeper quality by using in-house engineering expertise tailored to the heavy traffic loads on its network.
“This facility will give us a competitive edge. As we move forward, we aim to forge strong partnerships that will drive infrastructure growth and enhance rail transport in Zimbabwe and beyond,” Chionyere said.
With a railway network spanning 2 760-kilometers of the country and connecting to regional routes, the proposed NRZ new plant marks a significant step in modernizing the country’s rail sector and strengthening its role in southern Africa’s transport economy.
New Ziana
