Zimbabwe and Zambia Advance Lion’s Den–Kafue Rail Link Under New MoU
Zimbabwe and Zambia have taken a step toward strengthening regional rail connectivity with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a proposed 311 km railway spur linking Lion’s Den in Zimbabwe to Kafue in Zambia.
The agreement, signed by Felix Mhona and Frank Tayali, establishes a bilateral framework to advance the project through cooperation between the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL).
The planned line will run approximately 217 km within Zimbabwe and 94 km in Zambia, broadly following the existing highway corridor. It will be developed on Cape Gauge, with provision for future standard gauge upgrade, and will include 16 stations and two marshalling yards.
Strategically, the link is positioned to improve regional trade flows by providing a shorter route between Zambia and the Port of Beira in Mozambique, reducing the current distance by an estimated 800 km. This is expected to enhance freight efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of rail across the corridor.
At this stage, the project remains in an early development phase. While initial technical work has been undertaken and ministerial alignment secured, key elements, including financing, procurement, and implementation timelines, are yet to be defined.
