Transnet seeks partner for Ngqura manganese export corridor

Transnet SOC Ltd has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to select a strategic partner for the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor (NMEC) project. This 25-year private sector participation initiative aims to upgrade the rail corridor and construct a new manganese export terminal at the Port of Ngqura.

The project spans from Hotazel in the Northern Cape to the Eastern Cape. It is expected to require an investment of between 30 billion and 44 billion rand (approximately $1.85 billion to $2.72 billion). Key components include the rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of rail infrastructure, rolling-stock management, and the construction and operation of the new terminal.

Transnet anticipates that the upgraded corridor and new terminal will increase manganese rail exports by a forecasted 20%. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve freight network performance, reduce reliance on road transport, and enhance the competitiveness of South Africa’s logistics system following a record 26.2 million tons of manganese exported in 2025.