South African based Grindrod Limited Group, which recently partnered Zambia’s North Western Rail Limited to construct a 580km railway line has poured $500 million into the first phase of the rail project worth $1 billion.

The railway construction is meant to link Zambia and Angola, a visionary investment on the part of both countries as it will aid future development of their economy.

“This is different from the mines; it is a permanent investment for Zambia. It will boost the Zambian economy permanently. The Zambia North West Rail will also relieve pressure from the roads because huge cargo will now be transported by rail,” said Daniel Rea, Manager, Grindrod Limited Zambia.

Once completed, the railway will provide a cheaper and more effective means of transporting mineral related goods between the North West and Copperbelt regions of Zambia. The country’s road network, which is the major route of conveying these goods to their destinations, will also last longer.

The construction of the railway line, which will stretch from Chingola northern city in Zambia’s copper mining region to Angola, is also expected to create 1,000 jobs.

The first phase of the railway project, which is 290km, will run from Chingola to the Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila mines in north western Zambia, at an estimated capital cost of about $489 million.

The second phase of the project will connect with the Benguela railway line on the Zambia-Angola border near Jimbe and will open a direct corridor to Lobito. It will cost about $500m.

By George Mpofu