The Joint Ministerial Committee meeting of the Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone Railway Link Project underscored the strategic importance of the project in facilitating trade, promoting economic growth, and improving regional logistics efficiency.
The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the progress and strategic direction of the Mosetse - Kazungula - Livingstone Railway Link Project.
The Botswana delegation was led by Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Noah Salakae, accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Ken Ketshajwang, and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Alpheus Matlhaku, High Commissioner of Botswana to Zambia, Plato Kabelo Gaoboi, Board Chairperson of Botswana Railways, among others.
The Zambian delegation was led by Minister of Transport and Logistics Museba Tayali accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Fredrick Mwalusaka, and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Eng. Nkumbu Siame, Director of Transport and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), Eng. Cuthbert Malindi, Managing Director of Zambia Railways and other Senior Government Officials.
The meeting signifies a shared vision and commitment to improving regional connectivity and economic growth through the realisation of the Mosetse - Kazungula - Livingstone Railway Link Project.
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together to explore the strategic cooperation and partnership in the areas of transport, logistics, and infrastructure development in the region.
They reaffirmed the two Governments’ commitment to regional integration and sustainable development through the advancement of cross-border railway connectivity.
The duo further acknowledged the warm and excellent bilateral relations that exist between Botswana and Zambia, anchored on long-standing, historical and political bonds, and common cultural heritage.
The Joint Ministerial Committee noted with appreciation, the progress achieved on the project and the feasibility study; reiterated commitment to jointly develop the MKL Railway Link with due regard for environmental sustainability, social inclusivity, and economic viability.
The committee resolved to strengthen the existing bilateral coordination mechanisms to accelerate implementation and ensure effective oversight of the project; noted the guidance provided to the technical teams to carefully explore and determine the suitable funding method, which may be considered to secure the capital required for construction.
The members have committed to assemble financial experts to start the work immediately to recommend the preferred funding option.
This was minister Salakae’s second meeting regarding the Trans-Kalahari Railway line. He met with his Namibian counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi on the 23rd of May 2025.
The proposed Mosetse – Kazungula – Livingstone railway line, is a 430-kilometre rail corridor linking these countries’ economies and strengthening the North–South transport axis. The project is expected to reduce logistics costs, of decongested borders, of diversified trade, and of shared prosperity.
The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the progress and strategic direction of the Mosetse - Kazungula - Livingstone Railway Link Project.
The Botswana delegation was led by Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Noah Salakae, accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Ken Ketshajwang, and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Alpheus Matlhaku, High Commissioner of Botswana to Zambia, Plato Kabelo Gaoboi, Board Chairperson of Botswana Railways, among others.
The Zambian delegation was led by Minister of Transport and Logistics Museba Tayali accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Fredrick Mwalusaka, and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Eng. Nkumbu Siame, Director of Transport and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), Eng. Cuthbert Malindi, Managing Director of Zambia Railways and other Senior Government Officials.
The meeting signifies a shared vision and commitment to improving regional connectivity and economic growth through the realisation of the Mosetse - Kazungula - Livingstone Railway Link Project.
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together to explore the strategic cooperation and partnership in the areas of transport, logistics, and infrastructure development in the region.
They reaffirmed the two Governments’ commitment to regional integration and sustainable development through the advancement of cross-border railway connectivity.
The duo further acknowledged the warm and excellent bilateral relations that exist between Botswana and Zambia, anchored on long-standing, historical and political bonds, and common cultural heritage.
The Joint Ministerial Committee noted with appreciation, the progress achieved on the project and the feasibility study; reiterated commitment to jointly develop the MKL Railway Link with due regard for environmental sustainability, social inclusivity, and economic viability.
The committee resolved to strengthen the existing bilateral coordination mechanisms to accelerate implementation and ensure effective oversight of the project; noted the guidance provided to the technical teams to carefully explore and determine the suitable funding method, which may be considered to secure the capital required for construction.
The members have committed to assemble financial experts to start the work immediately to recommend the preferred funding option.
This was minister Salakae’s second meeting regarding the Trans-Kalahari Railway line. He met with his Namibian counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi on the 23rd of May 2025.
The proposed Mosetse – Kazungula – Livingstone railway line, is a 430-kilometre rail corridor linking these countries’ economies and strengthening the North–South transport axis. The project is expected to reduce logistics costs, of decongested borders, of diversified trade, and of shared prosperity.
