In early April 2026, the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a 311 km railway line between Kafue in Zambia and Lion’s Den in Zimbabwe. The investment is estimated at EUR 1.7 billion (USD 2 billion). The line is intended to improve the transport of ores such as copper and strengthen regional transport corridors. The Kafue – Lion’s Den line runs for 94 km in Zambia and 217 km in Zimbabwe, largely following the existing motorway corridor. It will be built to the narrow gauge of 1,067 mm and prepared for a future conversion to standard gauge. The project includes 16 stations and two marshalling yards. According to official figures, the line shortens the line to the port of Beira by around 800 km compared to the existing north-south corridor. The project was based on technical consultations between the two countries regarding network connectivity and the use of mineral rights, which were transferred to the state railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Zambia (ZRL) and are managed through the joint venture Emerging Railways. Financing remains a key hurdle.