Created: 12/03/2024Last Edit: 03/04/2024
Week: 2024-11Print Edition: 2024 – MarchEdit Article
  • 10. Completed
Item 1

SADC Advances Regional Connectivity With Railway Master Plan Initiative

As part of the ongoing Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project, a pivotal element is taking shape in the form of the Facilitation and Development of the Regional Railway Master Plan. This essential component is designed to bolster (i) the Regional Railway Master Plan, (ii) Railway Appraisal Guidelines, and (iii) a Bankable Investment Program. These initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency of multimodal corridors and port throughput while contributing to a modal shift from road to rail.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project’s primary goal is to enable more efficient movement of goods and people across three key corridors and various essential border posts. In doing so, it also seeks to augment the development of the railway infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in the region’s trade and transport facilitation. Key objectives include strengthening the enforcement capacity of customs and border agencies and promoting infrastructure development to fuel SADC’s industrialisation agenda and facilitate a more effective regional railway system.

Issued in June 2023 and concluding on 31 March 2024, the initial call for Consultancy was divided into three components, each aimed at addressing different facets of the modal rebalance between road and rail transport:

Component 1: Transit Management and Cross-border Cooperation

This component intends to upgrade trade facilitation by integrating Information Communication Technology and digitisation along transit routes, thereby enhancing existing hard infrastructure. It involves:

  • Consultancy for developing customs interconnectivity frameworks, including the integration with the SADC Corridor Trip Management System (CTMS), to be implemented at critical borders such as Beitbridge, Kazungula Bridge, Chirundu, and Kasumbalesa.
  • Initiatives to boost the compliance management capabilities of customs, enabling proactive cooperation with other agencies and the private sector.
  • Efforts to embed gender considerations within the project’s scope, notably in the execution of the SADC Simplified Trade Regime.

Component 2: Road Transport Facilitation and Development of Regional Railway Master Plan

This section is dedicated to formulating (i) a comprehensive Regional Railway Master Plan, (ii) Railway Appraisal Guidelines, and (iii) a Bankable Investment Program to refine the functionality of multimodal corridors, elevate port efficiency, and assist in the modal transition towards rail.

Component 3: Project Management

To ensure the effective implementation of the project, this component is focused on operational support, such as:

  • Recruitment of essential project staff, including a Project Coordinator, a Procurement Officer, and a Project Accounts Assistant, to bolster the SADC Secretariat’s capacity.
  • Allocation of funds for conducting annual independent audits, operational costs, and non-consultancy services like organising project-related events and producing communication materials.

SADC Regional Railway Master Plan Progress

In early March 2024, a notable advancement under the SADC Trade and Transit Facilitation Project was the solicitation of consultancy services for the SADC Regional Railway Infrastructure Master Plan and the Bankable Investment Program. Supported by a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Development Fund (ADF), the goal is to develop, within 22 months, a detailed strategic blueprint to expedite the delivery of an integrated regional railway network.

This network aims to provide increased capacity and efficient services that will catalyse the revitalisation of the railway sector in SADC and bolster continental integration. The deadline for consultancy services is set for 22 March 2024. For those who may have missed the announcement, premium subscribers can access it here:

Item 2

Contributor:

Web

Content Visibility:

SEO Title
SADC's Regional Railway Master Plan: Paving the Way for Enhanced Trade Connectivity
SEO Description
SADC advances regional trade with its Railway Master Plan, improving cross-border transport efficiency and boosting modal shift to rail. This plan is crucial for Southern Africa's infrastructure development and trade facilitation efforts.
SEO Keywords


SEO Keyphrase
  • ALL - Southern Africa
Item 2

Major Advancement in SADC’s Railway Sector: Consultancy services for the development of the SADC Regional Railway Infrastructure Master Plan and Bankable Investment Program marks a critical milestone in enhancing trade and transport efficiency across Southern Africa. This ambitious 22-month project, aims to transform regional connectivity, promote economic growth, and facilitate a strategic shift towards more sustainable rail transport solutions. This initiative underscores our commitment to bolstering infrastructure development, improving multimodal transport corridors and supporting the SADC’s industrialisation agenda.

#SADC #Infrastructure #Railway #Development #TradeFacilitation #SustainableTransport #freight #transport #logistics

Twitter:

The #SADC #Railway Master Plan & Investment Program – a 22-month mission to boost trade, economic growth & sustainable transport across Southern Africa. Read more: #Infrastructure #Railway

Item 2

Contributor:

As part of the ongoing Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project, a pivotal element is taking shape in the form of the Facilitation and Development of the Regional Railway Master Plan. This essential component is designed to bolster (i) the Regional Railway Master Plan, (ii) Railway Appraisal Guidelines, and (iii) a Bankable Investment Program. These initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency of multimodal corridors and port throughput while contributing to a modal shift from road to rail.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project’s primary goal is to enable more efficient movement of goods and people across three key corridors and various essential border posts. In doing so, it also seeks to augment the development of the railway infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in the region’s trade and transport facilitation. Key objectives include strengthening the enforcement capacity of customs and border agencies and promoting infrastructure development to fuel SADC’s industrialisation agenda and facilitate a more effective regional railway system.

Issued in June 2023 and concluding on 31 March 2024, the initial call for Consultancy was divided into three components, each aimed at addressing different facets of the modal rebalance between road and rail transport:

Component 1: Transit Management and Cross-border Cooperation

This component intends to upgrade trade facilitation by integrating Information Communication Technology and digitisation along transit routes, thereby enhancing existing hard infrastructure. It involves:

  • Consultancy for developing customs interconnectivity frameworks, including the integration with the SADC Corridor Trip Management System (CTMS), to be implemented at critical borders such as Beitbridge, Kazungula Bridge, Chirundu, and Kasumbalesa.
  • Initiatives to boost the compliance management capabilities of customs, enabling proactive cooperation with other agencies and the private sector.
  • Efforts to embed gender considerations within the project’s scope, notably in the execution of the SADC Simplified Trade Regime.

Component 2: Road Transport Facilitation and Development of Regional Railway Master Plan

This section is dedicated to formulating (i) a comprehensive Regional Railway Master Plan, (ii) Railway Appraisal Guidelines, and (iii) a Bankable Investment Program to refine the functionality of multimodal corridors, elevate port efficiency, and assist in the modal transition towards rail.

Component 3: Project Management

To ensure the effective implementation of the project, this component is focused on operational support, such as:

  • Recruitment of essential project staff, including a Project Coordinator, a Procurement Officer, and a Project Accounts Assistant, to bolster the SADC Secretariat’s capacity.
  • Allocation of funds for conducting annual independent audits, operational costs, and non-consultancy services like organising project-related events and producing communication materials.

SADC Regional Railway Master Plan Progress

In early March 2024, a notable advancement under the SADC Trade and Transit Facilitation Project was the solicitation of consultancy services for the SADC Regional Railway Infrastructure Master Plan and the Bankable Investment Program. Supported by a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Development Fund (ADF), the goal is to develop, within 22 months, a detailed strategic blueprint to expedite the delivery of an integrated regional railway network.

This network aims to provide increased capacity and efficient services that will catalyse the revitalisation of the railway sector in SADC and bolster continental integration. The deadline for consultancy services is set for 22 March 2024.

Print

  • 03. Layout Completed

Magazine Section

Africa Update

Instructions