Malawi Railways is the national rail network in Malawi, run by a government corporation until privatisation in 1999. As of 1 December 1999 the Central East African Railways, a consortium led by Railroad Development Corporation, won the right to operate the network.
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The rail network totalled 797 kilometres in 2001. It is a narrow gauge line with a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge track.
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Railway links with adjacent countries
There is no direct link with neighbouring Tanzania as there is a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)/1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) break of gauge.
A rail link to Chipata in Zambia was completed in 1984, but a connection onward into Zambia was only opened in 2010. This line remains idle because there are few facilities at Chipata.
The Nacala Corridor line to Mozambique via Nayuchi to the port of Nacala, and Nsanje to the Dona Ana Bridge and Beira, has not been operational since the war in Mozambique and is in need of reconstruction.
In April 2011, the Malawi government and the Brazilian mining company Vale signed an agreement to construct a 100 kilometres (62 mi) short cut railway line from coal mines in Moatize to Blantyre, where it would connect with tracks to the port of Nacala.
In 2015, an extension of the Chipata line to a junction with the TAZARA line at Serenje was proposed. In 2016, the contract was awarded.