Road, Rail & Ports 2025: Infrastructure under strain

South Africa’s road, rail and port networks remain under strain, with each part of the system facing operational and infrastructure challenges.  Roads continue to carry most freight as rail performance lags, leading to higher traffic volumes, which, amid growing maintenance backlogs across national, provincial and municipal routes causes widespread potholes. Parastatal South African National Roads Agency Limited is progressing major upgrades in all provinces, gradually seeing its responsibilities increased, while broader programmes aim to improve road safety and surface conditions. Rail operations remain constrained by ageing infrastructure, vandalism, equipment shortages and low volumes. Government’s reforms – including the Transnet Network Statement, the establishment of the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager and greater scope for private-sector participation – mark important steps towards restoring freight corridors and improving passenger services with State-run rail agency Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, devastated during the Covid lockdown, reopening more routes. Ports are also under pressure, with congestion, equipment shortages and slow turnaround times affecting efficiency. Expansion plans, new terminal concessions and operational improvements seek to ease these constraints and support South Africa’s export-focused economy. Creamer Media’s ‘Roads, Rail & Ports 2025: Infrastructure under strain’ report shows that while the system remains fragile, a combination of investment, maintenance programmes and ongoing reforms could stabilise the road, rail and ports sectors.