The Chakwera administration has announced a groundbreaking project with China Rail Signal, a Chinese rail company, set to construct a state-of-the-art railway line in Northern Malawi. The Shire Times can reveal that the government inked a monumental K2.43 trillion agreement with the Chinese Government to build, electrify, and signal an extensive rail network across Malawi.
This ambitious five-year project will unfold in three strategic phases: revamping the Nkaya-Bangula route in Nsanje with electric rail upgrades, connecting Nkaya to Mchinji via Salima and Kanengo in Lilongwe, and extending the network from Lilongwe to Mbeya, Tanzania, through the Northern region.
The project will also include the construction of modern train stations, inland ports, the supply of cutting-edge trains, and the enhancement of Malawi’s rail signalling, passenger communication, and ticketing systems. This endeavor aims to rejuvenate and modernize Malawi’s long-neglected rail infrastructure, positioning the country as a crucial transit hub for Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new rail network is expected to drastically reduce cargo and passenger transport costs, ushering in a new era of connectivity and economic growth for Malawi.
