6 April 2026
The governments of Zambia and Botswana have directed technical teams to finalise all outstanding studies for the Mosetse–Kazungula–Livingstone (MKL) Rail Project by the end of 2026.
The project is a strategic priority for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), designed to shift heavy freight from road to rail and integrate the North-South Corridor more effectively.
Infrastructure scope and alignment
The proposed railway will span approximately 430 km, bridging the gap between the existing rail heads in both countries:
- Botswana Section: 365 km from Mosetse to the Kazungula Bridge.
- Zambian Section: 65 km from the Kazungula Bridge to Livingstone.
Key Asset: The line will utilise the Kazungula Bridge, which already features a pre-installed rail deck across the Zambezi River.
Strategic objectives and regional trade
The MKL project aims to provide a more efficient logistics route for mining and agricultural exports, reducing the 600-mile roundtrip dependency on road haulage through the busy Kazungula border post. By linking Zambia Railways Limited and Botswana Railways, the corridor will create a smooth connection for cargo moving between the Port of Durban in railway entities to ensure interoperability.
Source: https://shorturl.at/vY0cL
