Project Overview and Construction Significance

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Zambia and the Ministry of Transport Infrastructure of Botswana recently held a joint steering committee meeting of MKL project in Kasane, Botswana. Officials from the governments of the two countries, as well as representatives from Zambia Railway and Baotou Railway, attended the meeting to review the current progress of the project and provide strategic guidance for this significant regional infrastructure project.

MKL Railway is a cross-border railway project connecting Botswana and Zambia, which is committed to improving the trade exchanges, connectivity level and regional integration process of the Southern African Development Community. The total length of the line is about 430 km, of which the section in Botswana is 365 km, from Moseze to Kazonggura; The section within Zambia is 65 kilometers long, from Kazungula to Livingston. The railway will utilize the 923 meter long Zambezi River Kazonggula Bridge, which was opened in 2021, to achieve cross river traffic. After the completion of the project, it is expected to effectively optimize passenger and freight transportation conditions, reduce logistics costs, and alleviate the carrying pressure of highway transportation facilities.

The two countries work together to accelerate project progress

Both the Zambian and Botswana governments reiterated that they would make every effort to ensure the smooth implementation of the MKL railway project, and stressed the need to continue to strengthen cooperation and docking at the technical and policy levels. The Joint Technical Committee of the project has requested the technical team to complete all remaining research work on the railway by the end of 2026. Keywords: Cross border railway, Southern Africa, Zambia

The Executive Secretary of Zambia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics stated that the MKL railway is an important bilateral cooperation project between the two countries, and a key link in strengthening regional connectivity, promoting trade development, and tapping into the economic potential of the Southern African Development Community. The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Botswana also reiterated that the government will earnestly fulfill relevant responsibilities and obligations to ensure the smooth progress of the project.Editor/Gong Ziwei