Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is using the 2026 Southern African Railway Association (SARA) Conference and Exhibition in South Africa to strengthen cross-border ties and pursue business with regional railway operators, customers, suppliers and financiers, an official said.
In an interview on Thursday, NRZ public affairs and stakeholder relations manager Andrew Kunambura said the conference, underway at the Sandton International Convention Centre, brings together railway companies, service providers, suppliers and financiers to discuss collaboration and ways to improve rail operations across the region.
“Railway companies, both public and private, from the SADC region formed the association 30 years ago to meet annually and deliberate on issues that affect railway business across the region. There is very serious interconnectedness in railway business from one jurisdiction to another,” he explained.
He illustrated the interdependence with the movement of fuel from port city of Beira in Mozambique to Botswana through Zimbabwe.
“Railway company in each country handle part of the journey, making cooperation between operators essential to keep freight moving across borders. That’s the nature of collaboration which necessitated railway companies to come together and say, ‘Let’s deliberate on issues that affect us,'” he said.
Kunambura said SARA provides a forum for operators to share ideas, address common challenges and build commercial relationships.
He said the conference also gives the NRZ an opportunity to meet existing and prospective customers, negotiate business, and engage suppliers of spare parts, lubricants and other operating requirements.
The NRZ is also seeking engagement with financiers and service providers capable of supporting projects such as locomotive and wagon refurbishment, track repairs and new rail construction, he said, adding the NRZ exhibition showcased its current services and plans for the future to regional stakeholders.
“We are here to do business with our existing customers and with our sister railway companies,” he said.
Kunambura added that the conference helps connect the operators and businesses needed to improve links and sustain cross-border freight services.
The NRZ is currently pursuing a turnaround programme focused on restoring its freight capacity through rolling-stock refurbishment, infrastructure rehabilitation and recapitalisation.
It has been working with private-sector partners, including ferrochrome producer Zimasco, on refurbishing locomotives and wagons, while seeking further investment for equipment and network upgrades.
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