By end of December, 2024 Malawi is expected to accomplish a Nkaya Mchinji railway line development programme to improve its transport network and potential for economic growth. This is part of a larger plan in Malawi to upgrade and expand rail transportation in the country to foster connectivity not only within Malawi but also with its neighbors such as Zambia and Mozambique. The project comprises of the rehabilitation of the Nkaya–Mchinji railway line of 399-kilometer that links Malawi-Zambia border to Nacala Logistics Corridor (NLC). This corridor is important as it connects Malawi to the sea port of Nacala on the Indian Ocean through which products can be exported to the world market. The refurbishment process includes renewing the railway bridges, reballasting, and the load carrying capacity from maximum axle load of 15 ton to 18 tons thereby enhancing the capacity and efficiency of the railway line.
These improvement works are being conducted by the Central and Eastern African Railway (CEAR) company and near completion. These upgrades are not only essential for the Malawian transport industry but also for others like the mining industry. For example, the enhanced railway will be beneficial for Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya rutile and graphite project since it will facilitate the transportation of both rutile and graphite to export destinations. However, apart from the Nkaya-Mchinji line Malawian government has signed a big deal with china to expand the rail network in Malawi.
Construction cost
This deal is estimated to be approximately $2. 1 billion intended to electrify and upgrade the rail infrastructure of Malawi. The five year project will be in three phases wherein there will be construction of new and modern train stations and inland ports as well as supply of new trains. The first is to reconstruct the Nkaya-Bangula line then extend it from Nkaya to Mchinji via Salima and Kanengo in Lilongwe to Mbeya in Tanzania through the north of Malawi.
Scope
The various upgrades proposed are in conformity with the Railways Development Strategy and Growth framework for Malawi, which aims at developing and expanding the railway infrastructure for safer, efficient, and sustainable transport system for socio- economic development. Hence the expansion of the rail infrastructure acts as a central key in reducing cargo and passenger transport costs in Malawi hence enhancing its core business as a transportation hub in the southern African region.
This project is believed to encourage investors’ action with consequent development of sectors such as mining, agricultural production, and manufacturing industries. In general, the achievement of these goals in completing the indicated Railway projects by the end of 2024 will be a major achievement in the development of Malawi. Rather, it stands as testament to the nation’s intention of developing strong physical infrastructure that can enhance growth and integration within the region. The upgrade of the rail will not only contribute to the improvement of domestic transportation as a means of transport and freight but also play a significant role in improving exportation and importation relations between Malawi and its neighboring countries as well as the rest of the world.
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