Scepticism as BR promises Mmamabula railway in three years

The rail utilities’ executives recently found themselves facing off against sceptical industry players at the Botswana Asset Owners Forum hosted by MN Capital. The forum was called to discuss infrastructure funding, particularly the opportunities for private sector support for public works and the challenges thereof.

The Mmamabula-Lephalale rail link has been in Botswana Railways’ plans for many years and the delay in its construction has frustrated developers along the country’s eastern coalfields. The link, which will run for about 130 kilometres to Lephalale in Limpopo, would provide a more direct, high-capacity route for coal and other bulk commodities to the sea, through both Richard's Bay and Mozambique.