What key milestones has TFR achieved in 2026?

In FY 2025/26, TFR volumes increased to 168 million tons, up more than 10% from 152 million tons two years ago. Our focus is on restoring reliability on our core export corridors, particularly coal, iron ore and manganese. Improving locomotive availability and reliability, maximizing wagon utilization and reducing cycle times are critical to delivering a dependable rail service while also supporting South Africa’s national ambition to move 250 million tons by 2030 – as per the National Rail Master Plan.

Rail Reform introduced 11 new train operating companies onto the rail network to improve asset utilization and attract private capital to increase overall industry throughput. The introduction of additional Security measures by the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) continues to strengthen the protection of critical rail infrastructure through intelligence-led operations. These interventions have reduced overall security incidents by 31%, cable theft by 40%, and the volume of cable stolen by 63%, contributing to fewer train cancellations, improved operational reliability and a significant reduction in security-related revenue losses.

What are TFR’s priorities over the next 12 to 24 months?

The next two years are about moving decisively from recovery to sustainable growth by building a more reliable, customer-centric and competitive railway. Our key priorities are expanding targeted strategic partnerships to unlock growth opportunities and partnering with customers through customer-led solutions that are tailored to their service requirements. We aim to advance towards our ambition of transporting 200 million tons by 2029. We will also leverage new technologies to enhance asset management and customer services while enhancing employee safety.

What are the biggest challenges facing rail operators across Africa and what measures are needed to address them?

Ageing infrastructure, underinvestment, security threats such as theft and vandalism, funding constraints, and increasing pressure to improve efficiency and sustainability are the biggest challenges disrupting the industry. A key challenge is limited cross-border rail interoperability. TFR is addressing this through borderless train initiatives that enable seamless regional rail operations. Addressing these requires sustained infrastructure investment, greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, regulatory certainty, and cross-border coordination to improve regional connectivity.

How is TFR strengthening cross-border rail connectivity for mineral exports, and which regional trade corridors are central to this strategy?

TFR is prioritizing three key trade corridors: the Maputo Corridor, where collaboration with Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique enables seamless magnetite transport - recently demonstrated by a successful 160-wagon Radio Distributed Power test between Phalaborwa and Komatipoort that doubled the traditional 80-wagon train capacity; the North-South Corridor, connecting South African ports with Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC for coal, chrome, lithium and copper shipments; and the East-West Corridor, linking Botswana and neighboring states to South Africa to move soda ash, salt, coal, iron ore and clinker.

TFR invests in building local rail capabilities through Transnet Academy. The academy has trained a total of 380 regional rail workers across the continent - including 194 from Eswatini, 112 from Mozambique, 32 from Zambia, 15 from the DRC, 11 from Malawi and 16 through the Southern African Railway Association.

How is TFR aligning its rail freight expansion with global ESG requirements to lower carbon emissions?

TFR is embedding sustainability into fleet investment, procurement, operations, risk management and reporting, guided by its Green Procurement Handbook. By shifting more volume from road to rail, TFR is helping customers reduce logistics-related emissions while improving safety and reducing road congestion. We are upgrading locomotives for energy efficiency and introducing anti-idling and performance monitoring. We have a planned hybrid/electric locomotive pilot project, envisaged to be completed by 2035.

What is TFR’s focus for AMW 2026?

Our message is clear: TFR is rebuilding, reforming and creating capacity for growth. We are committed to partnering with industry, government and investors to develop a world-class freight logistics system that supports mining growth and economic development. Through our participation, we hope to strengthen strategic partnerships, attract more cargo from road to rail, engage customers on future demand, and showcase the progress being made in restoring South Africa's logistics competitiveness.