RailMarket.com · 02 November 2026 · en

African rail update: Transnet locomotive deal, TAZARA recovery and new freight corridors

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Summary

AI · gpt-5.4-mini-2026-03-17 · relevance 45

African rail updates include a EUR 355 million Wabtec support agreement for Transnet locomotives, TAZARA’s five-year recovery plan, Ghana opening Tema–Mpakadan to private freight operators, TransNamib revising fleet renewal plans, and Algeria inviting bids for a 310 km railway section.

Malaysian suppliers should note the tender in Algeria and the fleet-rehab and freight-operator moves across Africa, which signal near-term demand for locomotives, parts, maintenance, signalling and freight-rail systems.

Ringkasan

Kemas kini rel Afrika merangkumi perjanjian sokongan Wabtec bernilai kira-kira EUR 355 juta untuk lokomotif Transnet, pelan pemulihan lima tahun TAZARA, pembukaan laluan Tema–Mpakadan di Ghana kepada оператор kargo swasta, semakan rancangan pembaharuan armada TransNamib, dan jemputan bida Algeria bagi seksyen landasan 310 km.

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South Africa: Transnet signs EUR 355 million Wabtec agreement
Transnet Engineering signed a long-term agreement worth approximately EUR 355 million with Wabtec to support its Class 43D (C30ACi) and Class 44D (ES40ACi) diesel-electric locomotive fleets. The contract covers spare parts, technical assistance and predictive maintenance to improve locomotive availability on South Africa's freight network.
Transnet Freight Rail also tested a 696-wagon empty iron ore train on the Saldanha export corridor on 18 October. The formation used Class 15E electric and Class 43D diesel-electric locomotives in a radio distributed power configuration. Transnet claims a world record, although the movement was a technical evaluation rather than a commercial service.
Tanzania and Zambia: TAZARA targets 1.8 million tonnes
TAZARA approved a five-year recovery plan linked to its existing EUR 1.25 billion rehabilitation concession with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The programme includes infrastructure rehabilitation and rolling stock renewal.
Freight volumes are projected to increase from 110,000 tonnes in 2026/27 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2030/31. TAZARA will initially retain freight operations before their planned transfer to the concessionaire.
Ghana: private operators gain access to Tema–Mpakadan
Ghana opened its approximately 97 km Tema–Mpakadan standard-gauge railway to qualified private freight operators. The Ghana Railway Development Authority also signed an agreement with International Service Solution to develop container traffic.
The authority expects three locomotives and 20 wagons by December 2026. Plans include transferring containers to barges on Lake Volta for onward movement towards northern Ghana.
Namibia: TransNamib revises locomotive procurement
TransNamib is adjusting its fleet renewal plans towards a combination of new and remanufactured locomotives. Estimated lead times are 24 months for new units and nine months for remanufactured locomotives. The operator is discussing financing and procurement arrangements with development banks and government authorities.
Algeria: tenders opened for 310 km railway
Algeria's railway investment agency ANESRIF invited bids for construction of a 310 km section of the El Ménéa–In Salah–Tamanrasset railway. The project forms part of the planned north–south corridor linking Algeria's northern network with Saharan regions.