Published: 03 May 2018

Zimbabwe's transport sector is one of the beneficiaries of the Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund (ZIMREF) a World Bank managed multi- donor Trust Fund. One of the goals of ZIMREF is to create an enabling environment to strengthen public sector core management systems.

Zimbabwe, in Consultation with the Bank, wishes to apply for part of the Fund to carry out an expanded market study of the railways. The work described in the TOR is to be executed through a consultancy assignment, supervised by the Bank. This study is particularly relevant as part of the recapitalization and strategic partnership initiatives being pursued by NRZ.

Zimbabwe's challenges with rail transport is not unique within the sub region. Studies indicate that rail container transport is at present under utilised with current estimates on several key rail corridors within Southern Africa indicating 5­20% actual usage of container flow capacity.

This scenario presents an opportunity to assess the potential for modal shift of freight from road to rail and to harness the benefits that an efficient rail transport offers. As such World Bank Mission consultations pointed to the need for an Expanded Market Study focused on some selected rail corridors to assess the potential for modal shift of freight from road to rail.

The study will use the Harare- Durban and Harare­ - Beira Corridors as Case Studies to examine the business case such a modal shift will bring as well as recommend the operational and institutional capacity needed to support an increase in rail freight.
- railwaysafrica

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