After over four-decade interruption, Malawi received first fuel train, marking a historic moment in the nation’s transportation evolution.
The train, which arrived on Wednesday, carried 1.2 million liters of fuel from Beira, Mozambique, to Malawi’s southern region, following an extensive rehabilitation of the country’s railway infrastructure.
President Lazarus Chakwera, who presided over the event, hailed the train’s arrival as a “great milestone” for Malawi.
He emphasized that this development would play a crucial role in the country’s socio-economic advancement.
“For 42 years, our railway lines were in ruins, and we have relied on trucks to import fuel, a costly method. Today, we witness the first fuel train in many years thanks to the rehabilitation of the system,” Chakwera stated.
He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving essential systems to elevate living standards.
Economist Milward Tobias lauded the arrival of the fuel train, describing it as a “step in the right direction” for Malawi’s economy.
Tobias pointed out that the shift from road to rail transport for fuel imports would lead to substantial savings in transportation costs.
The railway network, which had been neglected by successive governments since Malawi’s transition to a multi-party political system in 1993, had long been overshadowed by road transport.
The rejuvenation of this crucial infrastructure underscores the government’s focus on restoring and modernizing the railway system to enhance economic efficiency and reduce dependence on more expensive road transport.
