DocumentClosedpublication
Africa Rail SpeechJuly2026
Urban Transport FundRef: https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Africa_Rail_SpeechJuly2026.pdf
Official source
Source domain: transport.gov.za
Collected on 9 July 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document is a keynote address speech by South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, delivered at the 26th Africa Rail Conference and Exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre on 7 July 2026. The speech reports progress on South Africa’s rail reform, including approval of the first eleven private Train Operating Companies for open access to the national freight rail network (13 March 2026) with operations expected from 1 April 2027, and Cabinet approval and public launch of a Draft National Rail Master Plan. It also announces regulatory and institutional milestones (including TRIM and the Transport Economic Regulator), outlines passenger and freight targets, and references specific infrastructure and investment figures and projects.
Facts
Places
City of Cape Town, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, uMhlathuze Local Municipality, Gauteng
Reference
https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Africa_Rail_SpeechJuly2026.pdf
Amounts
R 16 800 000 000, R 23 600 000 000
Key Takeaways
- Keynote address by Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy
- Event: 26th Africa Rail Conference and Exhibition
- Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
- Date: 7 July 2026
- Theme: “Investment, Development, and Technology for Rail Operators, End-Users, Government and Investors”
- Approval of first eleven private Train Operating Companies: 13 March 2026
- Open access operations expected to commence: 1 April 2027
- Planned freight moved by these operators: up to 24 million tons per annum
- Draft National Rail Master Plan: approved by Cabinet and launched for public comments
- Freight gap addressed: 165 million tons currently moved by rail vs 280 million ton market demand
- Economic modelling claim: every 1 million invested could generate ~4.3 million in GDP growth
- Luxembourg Rail Protocol deposited for ratification (announced at prior year’s conference)
- Domestication underway via Mobile Equipment Act of 2007
- TRIM established: November 2024; first network statement and rail access tariffs published within a month; second network statement open for public comment
- Transport Economic Regulator formally established (date not specified in text)
- Passenger journeys surpassed 100 million by end of March 2026
- 35 of 40 priority commuter rail lines re-entered service
- Passenger target: 600 million passengers per annum by 2030
- Passenger RFI launched: end of 2025 (rapid regional rail, depot modernisation, rolling stock leasing, automated fare collection, optic fibre installation)
- Freight target: 250 million tonnes annually by 2030
- Central Line recovery (Cape Town): majority of stations restored; 2,500 direct jobs created; over 50 SMMEs participated
- Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 Concession reached financial close; capacity increased 2.0m to 2.8m TEUs/year
- Budget Facility for Infrastructure: R16.8 billion in execution; further R23.6 billion in development
- PSP Unit pipeline projects include: Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor; Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal; Gauteng–eThekwini Container Corridor
- Ms Barbara Creecy
- Minister of Transport (South Africa)
- Africa Rail Conference and Exhibition
- Sandton Convention Centre
- Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM)
- Transport Economic Regulator
Dates
Closing Date
13 March 2026