Traxtion, one of the largest private freight rail companies in Africa, has just put boots (and locomotives) on the ground in Angola after signing a contract with a concessionaire on the Lobito Rail Corridor.

James Holley, Traxtion CEO, said while Traxtion has previous experience in Angola through part sales to a national rail operator, this new contract will place Traxtion physically in Angola through locomotives and personnel. Angola is now the ninth African country where Traxtion has a footprint.

“This new contract follows Traxtion leasing U20C locomotives to concessionaire Lobito Atlantic Railway, which is currently operating the concession on the Lobito line. These were used to shuttle copper and other freight to the Angola/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border where other locomotives – more suitable for higher speed, took over.

“However, these bigger locomotives were not suitable at the port of Lobito. The port cannot accommodate 30-wagon trains which meant they had to be broken up to get the freight to the harbour. Our G18U shunting locomotives allow the mainline locomotives to drop the wagons and turn around quicker,” he said.

Holley said Traxtion has leased two shunters to the operator, and these will be fully maintained by Traxtion. In addition, Traxtion will be doing conversion training with the operator’s staff so they can learn how to operate the shunters.

He said the first locomotive will be in Angola shortly, and the second one will be delivered as soon as modifications and upgrades to it have been completed at the Rosslyn Rail Hub in Pretoria in the middle of 2025.

This contract, said Holley, was perfectly aligned with Traxtion’s vision of changing the way freight moves in Africa. “Projects in Africa can be tough and that is why we tailor-make solutions for our clients. We had delivered for this customer in the DRC, and that successful project means we have now been able to move into Angola with them.”

Holley also announced a new contract with TransNamib (Namibia) where Traxtion will be supplying two refurbished EMD GT22’s with control system upgrades, full rewiring and paintwork into the company’s livery done in the paint booth at the Rosslyn Rail Services Hub.

“The contract with TransNamib was signed in December last year and we will begin operating early this year. Part of our contract includes conversion training for the client’s drivers to familiarise them with the assets while also ensuring they can operate the assets safely and optimally. Also, through our Parts Sales Department we have been selling more and more parts and spares to the client,” Holley said.

Holley said Traxtion will be dispatching technicians to Namibia to make sure the locomotives are always available as and when needed.

Holley said Traxtion is now also fully focussed on South Africa and the opportunities third-party access will bring here.

“Our fleet is fully deployed at the moment, and while there are interesting opportunities on the radar, our attention is now on getting Traxtion trains running on the national network here. There is so much unserved freight here, it makes sense for us to invest in South Africa’s rail future,” he said.