The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has announced plans to build a nationwide network of mineral logistics hubs and new railway lines to support the country’s growing mining industry. The strategy aims to improve the movement of minerals, lower transport costs, and increase the use of rail for bulk cargo. It follows the successful launch of a new lithium export corridor that connects Gwanda Lithium Mine in Zimbabwe to the Port of Maputo in Mozambique. The railway operator believes the project marks the beginning of a new era for mineral transportation and regional trade.
According to NRZ spokesperson Andrew Kunambura, the railway company wants to extend rail lines closer to major mining areas across the country. This will reduce the distance that trucks travel to reach railway stations, making transport faster, cheaper and more efficient. Planned new railway routes include a line from Mutoko to Moatize in Mozambique and another from Inthundla to Redcliff. NRZ also plans to establish additional mineral logistics hubs in key mining areas such as Zvishavane, Dete, Shangani and Goromonzi, where lithium mining activities are expanding. These hubs will allow minerals to be loaded directly onto trains for transport to export markets.
The strategy builds on the success of the recently launched West Nicholson rail siding, which has already started moving lithium concentrate from Gwanda Lithium Mine by rail. Under the new transport arrangement, Bulawayo Beitbridge Rail (BBR) carries the cargo from Gwanda to Beitbridge, where it is handed over to NRZ. The cargo is then transported to Chicualacuala in Mozambique before Mozambique’s rail operator, CFM, takes it to the Port of Maputo for export. The project has created a reliable export route for Zimbabwe’s growing lithium industry while strengthening cooperation between railway operators in Southern Africa.
NRZ says the success of the West Nicholson project has shown that mining companies are becoming more confident in using rail instead of road transport. Rail offers a more affordable option for moving large quantities of minerals over long distances. It also helps reduce the number of heavy trucks on the country’s roads. According to NRZ, transporting 1,000 tonnes of lithium by rail removes about 33 heavy haulage trucks from the roads, helping to reduce road damage, traffic congestion and maintenance costs. The railway operator believes more mining companies will choose rail as similar logistics hubs are developed across the country.
To handle the expected increase in mineral traffic, NRZ is upgrading important sections of its railway network. Improvement works are currently underway on the Machipanda-Harare railway line, while plans are being developed to modernise the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route with support from the Mutapa Investment Fund and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. The upgrades are expected to encourage the movement of coal, coke and other bulk commodities by rail instead of road. NRZ is also working with Dinson Iron and Steel Company on plans to extend the railway line from Mvuma to the Manhize steel plant. In addition, the company is leasing locomotives from regional partners while working towards purchasing its own fleet to meet growing transport demand.
Zimbabwe’s expanding lithium sector is creating new opportunities for the railway industry. During the first quarter of 2026, the country exported more than 240,000 tonnes of lithium valued at over US$178 million. As Africa’s largest lithium producer, Zimbabwe continues to play an important role in supplying the global battery minerals market. NRZ believes that transporting these growing mineral volumes by rail will help reduce logistics costs, improve export competitiveness and provide a steady source of freight business. The railway operator also hopes the increased cargo volumes will support its long-term plans to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, modernise equipment and restore freight traffic, which has fallen sharply over the years due to underinvestment. Through these investments, NRZ aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s transport system while supporting economic growth and regional trade.
