Abstract
Transport infrastructure is a catalyst for the development of the economy, promotion of long-term sustainability, corridor development, and access to markets through transport links in the region. The efficiency and effectiveness of the transport system, however, requires investment in infrastructure, transport infrastructure and, more specifically, rail infrastructure in order to support socio-economic growth and regional integration across African countries. To facilitate socio-economic growth within the Southern African Development Community, there is a need for countries in the region to cooperate. This is done with the aim of enhancing progress by reducing the cost of trading through regional integration and harmonisation.
The Swaziland Rail Link project is perceived as having the potential to connect neighbouring countries by rail. The question is how governments and organisations, such as Transnet Freight Rail and Swaziland Railway, make the decision to invest in the construction of these large infrastructure projects. This is because, currently, no guiding policy framework exists to direct these large infrastructure investments. The absence of a guiding (regulatory) framework to govern decision-making for investing in inter-country rail infrastructure development, especially in the SADC region, is therefore a challenge.
This study seeks to identify and understand the factors that currently guide decision-making when undertaking rail infrastructure development projects, such as the Swaziland Rail Link project. The focus of the study is to determine the factors that influenced and contributed to the decision to embark on this inter-country and regional rail construction project.
A case study approach and mixed method design is adopted for this study. All the data used within this study was obtained from the Swaziland Rail Link project team members. The team consisted of Transnet SOC Ltd, Swaziland Railway and a participant from the Southern African Railways Association...
M.Com. (Business Management)