ABB drives rail modernisation and EV growth in South Africa
SOUTH Africa’s transport systems are at a crossroads. On one hand, electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating; on the other, passenger and freight rail infrastructure requires urgent modernisation.
“Both sectors depend on the same core infrastructure – power, connectivity, digital enablement, safety and regulatory compliance. Without strong foundations in these areas, neither EV adoption nor rail modernisation can deliver on their full promise,” says Veron Maharaj, Product Marketing Specialist at ABB.
At the 2025 Southern African Railways Association (SARA) conference, regional ministers and rail CEOs emphasised the need for rail modernisation, electrification, hybrid traction, and climate-resilient rail systems. Stronger regulatory frameworks and private-sector participation were also identified as critical to shifting freight from road to rail and driving regional economic integration.
SARA promotes rail across the SADC region, harmonising regulation, coordinating corridors and advocating for infrastructure investment. Its push for rail electrification has direct implications for national grid planning and the rollout of EV charging, particularly at depots, stations and logistics hubs. Integrating charging infrastructure into modernised stations and corridors can benefit both last-mile EV fleets and public transport.
ABB’s work in Africa positions it at the heart of this transition. The company supplies compliant, lightweight, safety-critical components for rolling stock, meeting global fire and smoke standards essential for passenger safety. It also provides electrification, station automation, monitoring, and control systems that improve reliability and reduce downtime across passenger and freight services.
Upgrading older rail assets and retrofitting legacy systems remain a priority for South African operators such as PRASA, Gautrain and Transnet. ABB supports OEMs, panel builders and workshops in enhancing performance, safety and efficiency. In parallel, ABB’s technologies in EV charging infrastructure and power systems are helping build smarter electrification for cities, industry, and public transport networks.
Challenges remain: underinvestment in rail, policy gaps, and uneven rollout of charging infrastructure continue to slow progress. “If we improve accessibility and affordability in our rail and EV systems, adoption will follow. Investments in infrastructure not only reduce costs for freight and industry but also make sustainable mobility more accessible to the public,” says Maharaj.
ABB showcased solutions at Smarter Mobility Africa (1–2 October 2025), a platform for policymakers, technology leaders and industry to collaborate on cleaner, more resilient transport. With momentum building, South Africa could, within five years, achieve more reliable and electrified rail, expanded EV charging, and integrated transport planning that makes seamless, sustainable mobility a reality. ABB Electrification is committed to being part of that change.
