TWO DEVELOPMENTS give encouragement to the hope we expressed last month (RG 7.97 p427) that railways in the southern half of Africa are starting to benefit from the laying down of arms.
A 51% interest in six management and operating concessions in Mozambique’s Maputo Development Corridor is being offered for sale as part of an industrial development strategy for the region. The six concessions cover the 93 km from Komatipoort to Moamba and Maputo, the 528 km Limpopo line from Chicualacuala to Maputo, the 69 km route from Goba in Swaziland, the harbour at Maputo, and Mozambique Ports & Railways’ (CFM) motive power workshops. Bids were due back by July 11, and the Ministry of Transport & Communications hopes to let all six by the year end. CFM will retain a one-third stake, and South Africa’s Spoornet is likely to take a share.
Bidders are being asked to look at 15 to 25 year concessions and to undertake rehabilitation and investment. For example, the track between Komatipoort and Maputo needs attention if it is to handle the traffic suggested. The Mozambique’s projects are likely to be debated at the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme seminar on railway concessioning in Abidjan on October 13-14.
The second encouraging development is the resumption of rail traffic in and out of the Democratic Republic of Congo following an agreement between Spoornet and SNCC that sees the South African motive power being restored to use. Spoornet will continue negotiations with SNCC to work out some form of permanent relationship. Badly needed revenue from copper exports should soon be flowing again. o
