In this Coffee with the Editor interview at the Southern African Railways Conference and Exhibition, Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean speaks with Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Joshua Sacco, and the MD of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, Ainah Dube-Kaguru.

The discussion explores:

1️⃣ Zimbabwe’s central role in regional rail integration across the North-South Corridor and the Beira and Techobanine routes.

2️⃣ The Lion’s Den–Kafue missing link and its EU-funded feasibility study.

3️⃣ The impact of road congestion versus the potential of rail freight.

4️⃣ Mineral and agricultural exports, including lithium, steel, and coal.

5️⃣ The move of NRZ under the Mutapa Sovereign Wealth Fund to accelerate investment.

6️⃣ Current and planned rolling stock procurement, leasing, and refurbishment.

7️⃣ Afreximbank-backed financing and partnerships for locomotives, wagons, and track upgrades.

8️⃣ PPP initiatives with customers and cross-border cooperation with CFM Mozambique and Botswana Railways.

9️⃣ Passenger rail developments, including tourism services for Mutare.

🔟 Zimbabwe’s broader multimodal strategy, from border post upgrades to air cargo cold chain logistics.

A comprehensive look at how rail, road, and air are being positioned to unlock trade, investment, and growth for Zimbabwe and the region.