Mozambique and South Africa Strengthen Cooperation in Railway Regulation
The Mozambique Railway and Port Institute (IFEPOM) and South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) held a high-level technical meeting in Maputo on 3 and 4 July 2025 to strengthen cooperation in railway regulation between the two countries.
The meeting identified strategic areas of collaboration, with particular focus on the harmonisation of railway safety standards, mutual recognition of certifications and licences, and the exchange of technical and operational experience. These areas were prioritised to improve the regulation of railway operations across shared corridors.
Discussions also addressed the formulas used to calculate regulatory fees. The objective was to harmonise these formulas in order to avoid discrepancies that could overburden railway operators and undermine the efficiency of cross-border corridors linking Mozambique and South Africa.
The meeting took place in the context of growing emphasis on railway regulation as a key element in achieving interoperability of transport systems across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The harmonisation of safety standards, including those outlined in the SADC Harmonised Railway Standards Text, was recognised as essential for regional integration. Aligning technical and regulatory frameworks is seen as critical to enabling safer and more efficient cross-border railway operations.
Mozambique and South Africa are connected by strategic railway lines that play a vital role in the movement of goods and the promotion of regional trade. Closer collaboration between their regulatory bodies will contribute to improved coordination of rail traffic, reduction of operational risks, and the establishment of uniform quality and safety standards along these key routes.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to prepare a joint document that will formalise the axes of institutional cooperation and establish concrete mechanisms for implementation in the short and medium term.
