Transnet Freight Rail (South Africa) will collaborate with Botswana Rail to upgrade 126 km of rail between Swartruggens, in South Africa’s North West Province, and Mafikeng, on the border with Botswana, according to a statement from the South African company.
The announcement, which follows a high-level trade roundtable between the two countries, aims to boost trade between the two countries, including giving landlocked Botswana, easier access to the South African ports of Richards Bay and Durban for export markets.
” This will be funded jointly by the two governments, with TFR and BR given the responsibility to implement the initiative. The objective is to have the project running in the next 24 months. The two entities will also build a connecting line from Mamabula in Botswana to Lephalale in Limpopo, currently running export coal to Richards Bay.” the statement said.
In addition, the two companies will work together on securing the facilities to prevent cable theft and vandalism of infrastructure, which is on the rise in Botswana and endemic in South Africa.
Picture : Pexel – Albin Berlin
