By Rex Mphisa
Zimbabwean leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly met with leaders from China Railways Group (CREC) and Huawei, who expressed interest in expanding their business footprint in Zimbabwe.
CREC, headquartered in Beijing, is a large corporate conglomerate engaged in engineering surveys, design and construction, industrial equipment manufacturing, real estate development, resources and mining development, financial investment, and other fields.
As one of the world’s largest construction and engineering contractors, CREC has been listed among the Fortune Global 500 for 17 consecutive years.
In 2022, it ranked 34th on the Fortune Global 500 list and 5th among China’s top 500 enterprises.
Huawei Corporation is a Chinese multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Its main product lines include telecommunications equipment.
The company was founded in Shenzhen in 1987 by Ren Zhengfei, a veteran officer of the People’s Liberation Army.
According to press reports from Mnangagwa’s visit to China Finance and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube speaking on the sidelines of the president’s engagement described the development as a game changer for the country’s transport sector.
An initial investment of US$600 million is earmarked for the comprehensive revamping of Zimbabwe’s entire railway system.
Zimbabwe’s railway network is approximately 3,427 kilometers long as of recent data, with all lines being narrow-gauge (1,067 mm) and was once electrified from Dabuka to Harare but vandalisim has seen many portions de-energized.
In addition, Huawei is set to expand its operations in the country, modernising systems and integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies.
Railway Transport’s Role in Preserving Roads and Reducing Road Carnage
Railway transport plays a significant role in economic development preserving and reducing maintenance of roads and reducing road carnage in several ways.
By providing an alternative mode of transportation for goods and passengers, railways can reduce the number of vehicles on the road, thereby decreasing wear and tear on road infrastructure and lowering the risk of accidents.
Less road traffic translates to less damage to road surfaces, which reduces maintenance costs and extends the lifespan of roads.
Railways are generally considered a safer mode of transportation than road transport, with fewer accidents and fatalities per passenger or ton of freight transported.
Zimbabwe had 2 015 deaths from 52,279 road traffic accidents in 2024, a rate described as the second-highest globally.
Most were attributed to human error, including speeding and driver inattention resulting in 94 per cent these crashes.
The new attention to railways transport is expected will, if achieved, mitigate on road carnages but Government will have to commit on usage of rail for cargo movement wherever possible.
Railways can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts associated with road transport, which can contribute to improved air quality and a healthier environment.
Railways can transport large volumes of goods and passengers efficiently, reducing congestion on roads and minimizing the risk of accidents caused by overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles.
By providing a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, railways can play a vital role in preserving roads and reducing road carnage.
Some Zimbabwean transporters welcomed the development saying it will provide cheaper and alternative transport reducing costs to end users.
“We hope this will also translate to opening of new railway routes tgat will create more rail movement and jobs. Networks that reach the peripheral areas increases development,” said Beitbridge businessman Elias Chibi.