Resources 4 Africa Strengthening Eswatini’s Rail Corridor

Eswatini’s rail network continues to expand through the Eswatini Rail Link with South Africa, upgraded sidings, and new freight corridors to Mozambique. Together, these initiatives are designed to increase coal and general freight capacity, ease road congestion, and enhance regional trade connectivity–positioning Eswatini as a vital logistics bridge in southern Africa.

The national rail system currently moves an average of 4 million tons of freight annually, with roughly 75% classified as transit traffic, underscoring its importance as a cross-border conduit. Spanning 300 km of continuously welded track with concrete sleepers, the network includes 15 operational hubs, featuring two ICD terminals, multiple sidings, and dry ports. With growing rail constraints in South Africa and rising road congestion at key ports, Eswatini has become an increasingly critical alternative for exporters and importers seeking a reliable, congestion-free route.

Within this evolving ecosystem, Eswatini National Coal Storage Terminals (ENCST)–a subsidiary of Resources 4 Africa (R4A) under Vista Group–has played a central role. ENCST has facilitated over 325,000 tons of coal, representing approximately 17% of Eswatini’s annual coal rail movements, contributing to the 1 million tons transported each year.

These combined efforts reflect Vista Group’s commitment to building a sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable logistics model that supports regional trade resilience and long-term economic growth.