The first railway in present-day Malawi connected Port Herald (Nsanje) and Chiromo. It was opened in 1904 and four years later was extended northwards to Blantyre and in 1912 southwards to Mutarara, present-day Mozambique.
Last update: 29.01.2024
During colonial era trains were operated by Nyasaland Railways. After Malawi gained his indenpendence Nyasaland Railways changed its name to Malawi Railways Limited. On 4 July 1970 was inaugurated 101 km extension from Nkaya to present-day Cuamba, Moçambique. New line gave Malawi access to the seaport in Nacala, Moçambique.
In 1999 Malawian railway network was concessed to Central East African Railways.
In 2010 was opened new railway line from Mchinji to Chipata, Zambia.
In 2014 construction of the railway line from mines in Moatize area in Mozambique to Nkaye, Malawi, was completed and the new railway line was connected with existing line from Nkaye to Mozambique port of Nacala. The construction of a new railway line enables much easier and faster transport from the mine to the port. The whole corridor was fully opened for service in 2017.
In 2015 extension of a Chipata line to a junction with the TAZARA line at Serenje, Zambia was proposed.
Train travel in Malawi – current situation
The railway network of Malawi consists of 933 km mainline single cape. The railway lines were recently upgraded. Malawi benefits from freight traffic.
It is unknown whether passenger trains in Malawi are still operating. Both passenger and freight trains are operated by Nacala Logistics. On their website there is only a timetable for trains in Northern Mozambique, but it’s very likely that passenger trains from Limbe to Balaka (114 km) and from Balaka to Nayuchi (99 km) run normally. Trains were suspended, because cyclone of Ana washed away one of railway bridges, but in 2022 were resumed.
Timetable is unknown.
International trains
There are no direct international passenger trains in Malawi. Terminus of the line Balaka – Nayuchi is located near the border with Mozambique. From border station on the Mozambique side, runs train Entre Lagos – Cuamba. You can cross the border on your own and I don’t know it’s easy to transfer between the trains.
There are no passenger trains to Zambia.
There is no a railway link to Tanzania.
Related articles:
