Zambia–Botswana MKL Rail Project Advances Regional Freight Connectivity

SOUTHERN AFRICA, April 2026 — Zambia and Botswana are fast-tracking the Mosetse–Kazungula–Livingstone (MKL) railway project, reflecting a broader regional push to enhance cross-border rail infrastructure and unlock more efficient freight movement across Southern Africa.

The proposed line will span approximately 430 km, including 365 km in Botswana from Mosetse to Kazungula and 65 km in Zambia extending to Livingstone. A central component of the project is its integration with the Kazungula Bridge over the Zambezi River, which already includes a rail deck designed to support future operations.

The corridor is designed to connect the national rail networks of both countries, linking Zambia Railways and Botswana Railways while enabling smoother freight flows toward key export routes, including access to the Port of Durban. The project aims to reduce reliance on road transport, which currently involves lengthy detours and congestion at border crossings.

From a logistics perspective, the MKL railway is expected to significantly lower transportation costs for bulk commodities such as minerals and agricultural products, while improving transit times and reliability. It also supports broader regional integration goals by facilitating trade across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The acceleration of the MKL project highlights a wider trend across Africa, where governments are prioritising rail as a strategic mode for freight transport. By strengthening multimodal corridors and cross-border links, such investments are positioning rail as a critical enabler of economic growth and trade competitiveness across the continent.

Source: RailMarket