... 'This is a huge step forward. It's the first time we've ever had private operators on the freight rail network,' says Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here. JEREMY MAGGS: Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has told parliament that logistics and mobility reform must sit at the heart of South Africa's growth plan. In ...

... Menar Ports & Rail (MPR) intends to invest in the critical resources needed to ensure it utilises its rail allocation through the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) initiative to add value to South Africa's economy. On 13 May 2026, Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips announced MPR was one of the first 11 private Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to conclude a ...

... time. Countries that dismantle enabling systems face a harder problem. They must rebuild foundations before they can build anything else. For decades South Africa was Africa's most industrialised and diversified economy. Factories ran at scale. Rail moved inputs to production and outputs to ports. An electricity system held the whole structure together. That system was not perfect. But it worked. ...

... private operators. The call follows the conclusion of rail access agreements with 11 private train operating companies. In a statement, DA deputy spokesperson on transport, S'bongiseni Vilakazi, said the current intervention did not go far enough to address South Africa's logistics constraints. "Allowing private trains on to Transnet's old and failing infrastructure is not the same as introducing genuine competition ...

... Matola. It entered 2026 at an inflection point. The company has just completed a multi-year strategic reset, exiting non-core assets and sharpening its focus on infrastructure it can grow, while a landmark Transnet agreement has now opened South Africa's freight rail network to private train operators - Grindrod among the 11 onboarded. That deal is set to add roughly 24 ...

... involved. In a well-structured PPP, the public interest remains central, but the delivery obligation becomes more disciplined." Municipal infrastructure: the most important test of all According to the Old Mutual Alternative Investments professional, South Africa has several sectors where this matters urgently. She says logistics is one. "Weak rail and port performance affects exports, supply chains and the cost of ...

... on vehicle exports, the pressure to adapt is growing quickly. Other African Markets Are Already Moving Ahead Other African countries are already moving faster. Ford Africa MD Neale Hill pointed to Morocco, Egypt, and Ghana as examples of markets attracting EV-related investment. South Africa, meanwhile, continues to struggle with electricity instability, rail freight problems, and infrastructure challenges. Toyota South Africa ...

... With 8.1-million unemployed, growth is the only path to job creation, and that requires competitive logistics, enabling exporters to succeed globally - making reform acceleration non-negotiable. Statistics reported last week for freight volumes through South Africa's ports in 2025 show a genuine recovery. Another win last week was the finalisation of 11 private rail operators' contracts with Transnet Freight Rail ...

... export-oriented agricultural sector must focus on maintaining its existing export markets and expanding into new ones. The focus for both policymakers and agribusinesses and organised agriculture should be on improving logistical efficiency. This entails investments in port and rail infrastructure, as well as improving roads in farming towns. In addition, South Africa must work diligently to maintain its existing markets ...

... which would bring water from Lesotho across South Africa and to Botswana. Together with the Ramotswa Transboundary Aquifer, this initiative will support water security into the future, while enabling sustainable growth and development. Our two rail corporations, Transnet and Botswana Rail, are working together towards the establishment of the Mmamabula-Lephalale rail line. It is expected that this would be able ...

... fully revert to the railway company.Gaogane further disclosed that Botswana Railways also owns a majority stake in the Gaborone Container Terminal through a company known as GABCON."We have 64% shareholding, and Transnet is a 36% shareholder," he said, referring to South Africa's state-owned freight and logistics company.The caretaker general manager also highlighted another regional operation known as Sea Rail Botswana, ...

... competitiveness. That pressure is now beginning to translate into action, with reforms introduced in 2025 starting to show measurable impact in 2026, as the sector moves tentatively from prolonged decline toward early recovery. Central to this shift is the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap, which opened rail and port systems to greater private sector participation. This included the move ...

... "Africa's future will increasingly depend on the infrastructure that connects its people, businesses and communities," says Meera Sunker, head of TCIB at PayInc. One example is South Africa's Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which is helping modernise how money moves across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond. Building the rails for regional connectivity Developed as ...

... that public transport remains essential to economic growth, social inclusion, and human development-particularly for low-income households. She described the current agenda as an "ambitious reform" centered on reestablishing rail as the backbone of an integrated transport system for both passengers and goods. Key initiatives include reviewing public transport grants to streamline access for commuters, addressing South Africa's high road fatality ...

... reduce equipment failures. The fleet upgrade forms part of a broader N$2.6 billion funding package supported by the Development Bank of Namibia and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The rail operator is targeting bulk cargo markets, including increased manganese transport from South Africa to the Port of Luderitz, while also expanding logistics operations through the Port of Walvis Bay. ...

... private sector involved, particularly in upgrading the country's broken water infrastructure, said Gina Schoeman, an economist at investment bank Citi South Africa. She cited how private sector participation was vital to getting the country out of its years-long energy crunch and improving the performance of Transnet's port and rail system. "The government has to make an attractive investment opportunity for ...

... exports and imports, South Africa recorded an agricultural trade surplus of $1.8bn in the first quarter, up 30% year on year. Sihlobo said the export-orientated agricultural sector needed to maintain existing markets while expanding into new ones amid heightened geo-economic tensions. He said policymakers, agribusinesses and organised agriculture should focus on improving logistical efficiency, including investment in port and rail ...

... of funding the rail, power and water facilities they need. This may initially reduce their competitiveness, but without that infrastructure, most projects are not viable. Infrastructure as catalyst Darryll Kilian, partner and principal consultant in environment, social and governance (ESG) at SRK Consulting (South Africa) There is growing recognition, however, that a commitment to this infrastructure is vital to attract ...

... The United National Transport Union (Untu), the largest union at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), said it would approach the labour court on an urgent basis for an order interdicting the retrenchment process at the rail operator affecting more than 600 workers. Untu and rival South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) were due to hold ...

... delivery held ground. Mining companies with captive rail or solar installations maintained margins despite load-shedding and tariff pressure. Retailers and manufacturers that shifted to rooftop solar and private logistics reported lower volatility in fourth quarter 2025 trading updates. The test of whether the new rule changes behaviour is live. Enterprise Building 3 PPP launched on June 4 2025 at R83.1m. ...