Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has signed a US$20 million vendor-financed agreement with Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions (WWRMS) to rehabilitate, rebuild, and upgrade six GT 3600HP mainline locomotives.
In a statement issued by ZRL Public Relations Manager Sombe Longwani-Ng’onga, the company said the agreement followed thorough procurement processes and approvals from relevant authorities.
The rehabilitation works will be carried out at the Zambia Railways Main Workshop in Kabwe and are aimed at restoring performance, improving fuel efficiency, enhancing reliability, and extending the operational lifespan of the locomotives.
The project will be implemented in phases in 2026, with two locomotives expected between May and June, another two in August, and the final two between November and December.
The agreement operates under a deferred payment structure, allowing ZRL to repay the investment using revenue generated from the rehabilitated locomotives. The partnership also includes skills transfer to ZRL engineers and technicians.
ZRL Managing Director Cuthbert Malindi said the deal will boost haulage capacity and support key sectors of the economy, while WWRMS Managing Director Jason Visagie described the collaboration as vital to restoring rail assets and strengthening Zambia’s regional logistics competitiveness.
