SARA was formed in 1996 in terms of its Constitution in response to increasing road competition. At its formation, SARA was to originally provide the SADC railways with a strong lobbying association to pursue advocacy for fair surface transport competition to be achieved through– “levelling of the playing field” between road and rail in terms of policy and regulations.
Modal equity was to be achieved by enforcing the User Pays Principle where the road pays the full cost of road infrastructure or infrastructure support to railways by Governments. Members of SARA are predominantly railways in the SADC region, some major railway customers and suppliers, and other organisations with special interest in railways.
The SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology (PTCM), Article 13.13, mandates the formation of regional associations for each transport mode. It formalised the existence of SARA and provided a platform for interaction amongst the different bodies and with the other stakeholders in their respective modes of transport or sub sectors with the view to come up with an integrated transport system in the SADC region. The mandate of SARA is defined in Article 7 of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology.
Commencing in 2023, with the signing of a Letter of Intent, we have been working with the Southern African Railways Association to promote long term cooperation in rail infrastructure development for mutual benefit.
- To see the full press announcement about our membership click here.
- For more information about SARA, visit: www.sararailconference.com/about-us/
Babe BotanaExecutive Director at SARA"Embodying our motto, ‘Together We Are Better,’ we at SARA are elated to sign this Letter of Intent with our international cohorts today. This initial signing is just the beginning of a more expansive collaboration, destined to bolster our regional railway members. As we steer towards realising the ambition of a seamlessly integrated region by rail. Essential to augmenting inter-regional trade, it becomes imperative to unlock the much-needed investments for railway infrastructure, technology, and rolling stock assets. Moreover, nurturing our human capital to hone our skills is crucial. “By leveraging the legacy and expertise in railway development, digitalisation, among others, of the UK partners involved in this LoI, we are poised to accelerate the agenda for a reliable, efficient, and predictable regional railway network.” |  |
Since the signing, we have worked, together with our partners SARA, Department for Business & Trade, UK Export Finance and UKRINN, to further the relationship.
Members have benefitted from a series of webinars looking at a range of opportunities, as well as our own attendance at the SARA conference in 2024 by Elaine Clark.
Looking Ahead
We continue to work with colleagues across SARA to draw forth opportunities for closer working and sharing UK rail expertise.
Rail Forum members can access further resources via the Members Area Export Pages including presentations on SARA and a report on the Market Opportunities.
Members are encouraged to contact Cat@Railforum.uk to discuss this LOI further.