Ramaphosa breathes new life into South Africa’s $34 billion 500km bullet train plan, a first for sub-Saharan Africa

Speaking during his recent State of the Nation Address, Cyril Ramaphosa said the Department of Transport is continuing preparations to introduce high-speed rail services linking major metropolitan areas.

The first phase of the project will focus on a strategic corridor connecting KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo, with routes expected to link Johannesburg to Musina and eThekwini to Johannesburg.

“Now this I’ve been saying that we would like this to cover routes such as Johannesburg and Musina, and eThekwini to Johannesburg,” he said.

The initiative forms part of the Limpopo–Gauteng Speed Train Project, which aims to build approximately 500 kilometres of high-speed railway connecting Pretoria to Polokwane and Musina near the Zimbabwe border.

The broader bullet train programme is expected to cost about $34 billion (R530 billion), making it one of the largest transport infrastructure investments ever proposed in Africa.

As part of the wider rail modernisation strategy, Gauteng province plans to invest approximately $6.3 billion (R120 billion) over the next five years to upgrade rail systems, expand commuter services and support development of the high-speed corridor.

However, the scale of the project has also raised concerns among analysts and policymakers about long-term financing and overall project viability.

High-speed rail infrastructure in Africa remains limited.

The continent’s only operational high-speed rail line is in Morocco, where the Al Boraq connects Tangier and Casablanca over a 323-kilometre corridor, reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h.

Meanwhile, Egypt is constructing one of the largest high-speed rail networks on the continent with support from Siemens. The planned network is expected to span around 2,000 kilometres, linking Mediterranean cities, Cairo and key Red Sea ports.

Analysts say South Africa’s proposed corridor could become the first large-scale high-speed rail network in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly if it operates on dedicated tracks designed for sustained speeds above 250 km/h.

Ramaphosa said high-speed rail has become common in many parts of the world and argued that South Africa should not lag behind in adopting modern transport solutions.

“High-speed trains are happening in many parts of the world,” he said, noting that faster rail services could significantly reduce travel times between major cities.

The president criticised current travel times between major economic centres.

“In my book, it should no longer take five to six hours to travel from eThekwini or Durban to Johannesburg.”

He also pointed to the journey between Gauteng and the Zimbabwe border, noting that it currently takes “4.5 hours from Johannesburg to Musina, when it can be done in a much shorter space of time”.

Government officials say the project has already attracted strong interest from the private sector.

Nearly 30 companies have expressed interest in participating in the development of South Africa’s high-speed rail network following a request for information issued last year.

“We are preparing to send out a request for proposals, which will introduce a new era of long-distance rail travel in South Africa at a faster pace,” Ramaphosa said.

The project is currently undergoing feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments to ensure the railway meets safety, economic and environmental standards.

The national Department of Transport is working with the Gauteng and Limpopo provincial governments and private investors to secure funding and finalise technical plans.

High-speed rail proposals in South Africa date back more than a decade, including discussions under former transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele.

Cyril Ramaphosa revived the idea in 2019, envisioning a future where passengers could travel by train from Johannesburg to Musina, Buffalo City or eThekwini in significantly shorter times.

Construction of the proposed high-speed corridor is expected to begin in late 2026, with the first trains projected to enter service by 2030.

However, one of the key issues currently under review is land acquisition, as the railway will require negotiations with communities and landowners along the planned route.

If completed, the high-speed line is expected to strengthen economic integration between provinces, improve regional trade connectivity and enhance mobility for businesses and commuters.