Amanze Chinonye
China’s Tsingshan Holding Group is investing in Zimbabwe’s rail infrastructure to support its growing steel operations, with its local unit partnering with the state-owned National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) on upgrades and a new rail link valued at about $152 million.
Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) and its subsidiary Grand Railway Solutions (GRS) will support the movement of coal to the Manhize steel plant and finished steel to domestic and regional markets under the agreement signed on Monday.
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GRS is expected to finance a 54-km rail link between Mvuma and Manhize at an estimated cost of $125 million, while the partners plan to spend a further $27 million upgrading the 80-km Gweru-Mvuma section to handle higher freight volumes.
The arrangement will initially support the annual movement of about 1.1 million metric tons of coal from Hwange to Manhize, roughly 600 km away, and 600,000 tons of steel products from the plant.
GRS will provide locomotives, wagons and fuel, while NRZ will provide railway infrastructure and train crews.
The investment comes as Dinson expands production at its $1 billion Manhize complex, which began production in 2024. The plant’s first phase was designed to produce about 600,000 tons of carbon steel annually, with Zimbabwe targeting eventual output of 1.2 million tons a year.
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For NRZ, the partnership offers a major new source of bulk freight as it seeks to rebuild a network weakened by years of underinvestment.
Freight volumes fell from a peak of about 12 million tons in the 1990s to around 2 million tons in 2025, according to Reuters.
The rail investment could also improve network efficiency by allowing wagons carrying coal and other inputs to return with steel products, reducing empty journeys. The project forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader effort to attract private capital into rail infrastructure and support industrial growth.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
