Transport Minister wants fewer trucks on South Africa’s roads

South Africa is targeting 250 million tonnes of annual freight on its national rail network by 2030 and aims to remove trucks from the country’s highways while doing so.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed this at the Africa Rail Convention, where she added that the target is supported by the significant rail reforms implemented so far in 2026.

In her address, the minister noted that rail transport remains the most efficient, sustainable, and inclusive way to move freight and passengers over long distances.

With the Southern African Development Community (SADC) operating a combined railway network of around 40,000km, the rail sector is poised to become the centre of an efficient freight and passenger transport system.

“The strategic shift of freight from road to rail is not only a transport imperative but also an economic and environmental necessity,” the minister explained.

“Increased rail utilisation reduces road maintenance costs, lowers emissions, improves road safety, and creates the conditions under which the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area can be genuinely realised.”

Over the past year, the focus has been on establishing the institutional framework needed to translate policy commitments into practical, measurable outcomes.

The minister also highlighted the approval of the first 11 private train operating companies to access the national freight rail network as a significant milestone in South Africa’s freight rail history.

The announcement on 13 March 2026 marked the beginning of an era of open access, with operators expected on the rails from 1 April 2027.

“Collectively, these operators plan to move up to 24 million tons of freight per annum,” the minister announced.

“For the first time, South African minerals, vehicles and agricultural produce will access the rail network through operators competing on service quality and efficiency.”

She added that the entry of these operators is set to generate much-needed revenue for the fiscus, create and secure jobs, and demonstrate to investors across the continent that open-access rail reform is achievable.

Setting goals for 2030, 2050 and beyond

The Transport Minister outlined South Africa’s long-term rail plans, including targets for 2030, 2050, and beyond.

She announced the Cabinet’s approval of the Draft National Rail Master Plan and its subsequent launch for public comments.

“Through this plan, we have tabled a blueprint that will re-energise our rail transport system until 2050 and beyond,” the minister said.

“The National Rail Master Plan seeks to address the critical gap between the 165 million tons of freight currently moved by rail and the 280 million-ton market demand, while also tackling the burden high transport costs place on commuters and households.”

Economic modelling for the National Rail Master Plan indicates that every R1 million invested could generate approximately R4.3 million in GDP growth, highlighting its potential economic impact.

The minister noted that work is also underway to domesticate the Luxembourg Rail Protocol, which was deposited for ratification last year.

This protocol aims to create new opportunities for international investment by reducing risk and improving access to affordable funding for rolling stock acquisition.

Creecy added that it will enable the economic and environmental benefits of shifting freight and passengers from road to rail.

Beyond this, at the end of 2025, a Request for Information process for passenger rail was launched to catalyse the next phase of investment.

This process aimed to determine the local market appetite for rapid regional rail, depot modernisation, rolling stock leasing, automated fare collection and optic fibre installation.

“As we look beyond 2030, we are planning for a future in which the full market demand of 280 million tonnes is served by a rail network that is modern, efficient, resilient and open to competition,” the minister declared.