James Holley, CEO of Traxtion. (Image source: Traxtion)

Traxtion has announced the conclusion of a R3.4 billion (approx. US$180mn) rolling stock investment programme aimed at expanding freight capacity and supporting South Africa’s rail reform agenda

The programme, comprising R1.8 billion (approx. US$95.4mn) in locomotives and R1.6 billion (approx. US$84.8mn) in wagons, is the largest private freight rail investment in the country’s history by fleet size and value. It targets a minimum 60% local content and is expected to create 662 direct jobs during build and deployment, addressing about 5% of the national freight rail capacity shortfall.

The investment includes 46 diesel-electric locomotives from KiwiRail in New Zealand, comprising 42 U26C partly modernised units and four fully modernised C30-8MMI locomotives. Traxtion, in collaboration with Wabtec, will upgrade the U26C fleet to C30MEI specification with fuel-efficient 7FDL-EFI engines and advanced Brightstar control systems, enhancing reliability and tractive performance. All upgrades will be conducted at Traxtion’s Rail Services Hub in Rosslyn, supporting local manufacturing and supplier participation.

Shipments of the locomotives will occur in four tranches from April 2026 to August 2027, with each batch undergoing a four-month modernisation cycle including engine and control system upgrades, six-yearly services, and repainting. The first units are scheduled to enter South African mainline operations in Q3 2026.

James Holley, CEO of Traxtion, commented, “Private capital flows when Government policies create confidence in the private sector to invest. This investment is our vote of confidence in South African rail and in the reform momentum we are seeing. Every additional locomotive we put to work lowers logistics costs, protects the road network, improves our environmental footprint, and creates jobs in the upstream economy.”

The programme maximises local industrial value-add through assembly, supplier development, and skills transfer. All wagons will be domestically manufactured by trusted local suppliers. Benefits include high-capacity locomotives for bulk and container flows, job creation, supplier ecosystem growth, and enhanced training and safety through Traxtion’s Government-accredited Rail Training Centre at Rosslyn.

Aligned with South Africa’s rail reform framework, Traxtion expects further investment once the Rail Access Agreement under the Network Statement is fully bankable with service-level guarantees and legal protections.

Sipho Makhubela, CEO of Harith, added, “This investment marks a defining milestone for private sector participation in South Africa’s rail reform journey. As a long-term investor in Traxtion, Harith is confident in rail’s potential to unlock immense economic value. This programme sets a new benchmark for how private investment, aligned with policy certainty and local value creation, can deliver transformative outcomes for South Africa and the continent.”

Traxtion operates across ten African countries with more than 50 locomotives on long-term contracts. On corridors like TAZARA and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, third-party access regimes have significantly increased rail volumes.

Beyond deployment, the R3.4 billion (approx. US$180 million) programme is expected to generate multiplier effects across mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and export logistics by shifting volumes from road to rail. Holley concluded, “Rail is a network industry. When trains move efficiently, the whole economy moves. This programme is about getting South Africa’s freight system working for growth and proving that private-sector investment, aligned with reform, can deliver fast, measurable gains for the country and the region.”

Zipline partners with the US State Department to scale autonomous medical delivery across Africa

Zipline, the U.S.-based robotics company operating the world’s largest autonomous delivery network, has signed a landmark agreement with the U.S. Department of State to significantly expand its drone-powered medical logistics services across Africa

The initiative aims to triple the number of hospitals and health facilities served, from 5,000 to 15,000, ultimately giving as many as 130 million people rapid access to blood, medicines, and other essential supplies.

The partnership is structured under a first-of-its-kind pay-for-performance model, through which Zipline may receive up to US$150mn to scale its AI-driven, robotics-enabled delivery infrastructure. African governments using the service will pay up to US$400mn in performance-based fees, with funds released only upon signing expansion agreements that guarantee long-term service commitments.

Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline, emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stated, "We started Zipline to build a logistics system that serves all people equally…today, the U.S. government is doubling down on our work." Jeremy Lewin, Under Secretary of State, added: "This partnership is an example of the innovative, results-driven partnership at the core of the America First foreign assistance agenda."

Zipline’s system, designed and manufactured in the U.S., has completed 1.8 million autonomous deliveries since 2016 with zero safety incidents. Independent evaluations highlight substantial improvements in health outcomes, including reduced maternal mortality, fewer stockouts, and increased immunization coverage. In many regions, Zipline has cut delivery times from 13 days to under 30 minutes.

African governments have funded Zipline’s services for years, and this expansion amplifies their existing investments. The agreement also marks a new chapter in commercial diplomacy, integrating U.S. technology into global health infrastructure. Rwanda is expected to be the first country to formalise its participation.

The model ensures that U.S. financing will be deployed only after countries commit to expansion targets. Each new Zipline hub will serve as a permanent logistics centre staffed entirely by local employees, supporting skilled job creation and economic development.

Rwanda’s minister Paula Ingabire affirmed the impact of past collaborations, stated, "We have witnessed the extraordinary impact of drone delivery saving time, saving money, and saving lives." Nigeria’s health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, echoed the sentiment, noting Zipline’s potential to support a "healthier, more equitable future," while Côte d'Ivoire’s health minister Pierre Dimba emphasised the service’s alignment with national goals for rapid, equitable access to essential health products.

As autonomous logistics currently reaches less than 1% of the global population, Zipline and its partners view this initiative as a pivotal step toward closing that gap. The State Department hopes the model, paying for measurable results and fostering sustainable national ownership, can be replicated by other donors and development organisations worldwide.

Digital booking access to Jambojet's East African routes marks a major step in modernising regional air cargo

Freightos, the global leader in digital freight booking and payments, has expanded its reach in East Africa through a new partnership with Jambojet Cargo, Kenya's leading regional airline cargo operator

Jambojet Cargo is now live on the WebCargo by Freightos platform, allowing freight forwarders to book cargo capacity digitally across the airline's extensive East African network.

With this integration, WebCargo users gain immediate digital access to Jambojet Cargo services across nine major routes that link key commercial hubs in Kenya and Tanzania. Operating from its main base in Nairobi, Jambojet connects to Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi, Diani, Lamu and Zanzibar. In the future, the airline's capacity will also be made available for interlining agreements. Jambojet Cargo handles a wide variety of shipments including fresh produce, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce goods, supporting regional supply chains and cross border trade.

By joining WebCargo by Freightos, freight forwarders can now compare real time rates, confirm bookings instantly and manage their cargo online. This improves visibility, reduces manual processes and helps ensure a faster and more reliable service experience. Freightos currently handles an annualized run rate of more than 1.6 million transactions on its platform.

"Partnering with Jambojet Cargo expands WebCargo by Freightos' reach in one of Africa's most dynamic logistics markets," said Zvi Schreiber, CEO of Freightos.

"By bringing more regional carriers online, we're continuing Freightos' mission to make global trade smoother and more efficient helping forwarders and shippers access the capacity they need, when they need it and where they need it."

"Digitalization is reshaping air cargo across Africa, and Jambojet is proud to be at the forefront of this change, providing our customers with a modern and easy to use booking experience," said Karanja Ndegwa, managing director and CEO at Jambojet.

"By joining WebCargo by Freightos, we're giving freight forwarders faster, smoother, and more reliable access to our network supporting the region's expanding trade and connectivity. Looking ahead, we're excited to make our capacity available for interlining on WebCargo by Freightos' platform, helping strengthen links between African markets and the world."

Connecting Africa with the rest of the world

The African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) has officially launched, marking a new chapter for Africa’s role in global trade and logistics integration

Founded in Accra, Ghana, on August 22, 2025, the confederation aims to unite professional standards and networks across the continent to strengthen competitiveness and collaboration.

Africa’s supply chains have long lagged behind more developed regions and today are under pressure to adapt to global disruptions and seize opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

ASCON provides a unified framework to professionalise the sector, ensuring Africa is not just a participant but a strategic player in global value chains, according to Ronald Mlalazi, the group’s president.

“Elevating the role of supply chain management in Africa is critical for economic development,” he said.

“ASCON will ensure Africa becomes a strategic player in global value chains.”

Its mission is to foster a cohesive African supply chain ecosystem grounded both in professionalism and collaboration, he added.

Key pillars include: establishing ethical codes and accreditation frameworks; advancing standardised qualifications and continuous professional development; fostering cross-border partnerships and professional alliances; and promoting research, publications and knowledge exchange.

As part of this, ASCON offers: a unified framework for professional mobility and recognition; support for resource mobilisation and membership growth; platforms for networking and partnership; and advocacy to shape policy and promote best practices.

Elevating competencies and ethical standards is expected to enable greater mobility and quality of work for professionals across Africa, a collective effort that will help to build overall resilience and growth across the sector.

ASCON is committed to positioning the continent as a leader in global supply chain development, according to professor Douglas Boateng, goodwill ambassador and Africa’s first Professor Extraordinaire in supply and value chain management.

He outlined the importance of professionalising supply chains to unlock industrialisation, reduce waste, and strengthen competitiveness under AfCFTA.

“The Africa we desire is in our hands,”said Boateng. “By integrating supply chains, we can deliver generational impact.”

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