With positive GDP growth, increasing energy and mining projects, and the growing competitiveness of regional supply chains, the demand for developing Africa’s railway sector is surging. As the continent experiences unprecedented economic development fueled by rapid urbanization and growing populations, the expansion of Africa’s transport industry is poised to support trade activities, reduce carbon emissions, and lower transport costs. In recent years, several African countries have partnered with international financial and development institutions to attract finance for investing in enhanced rail infrastructure. Here are the top five railway projects to watch:
- Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project:
- Planned Completion: May 2024
- Description: Connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through approximately 1,344km of rail line, this project aims to boost domestic and cross-border trade, involving small- and medium-sized enterprises in international value chains. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and global partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding to mobilize resources for the project.
- Trans-Kalahari Railway:
- Scheduled Operations Start: January 2025
- Description: A 1,500km railway running from Rasesa in Botswana through Windhoek in Namibia to Walvis Bay, facilitating the transportation of 14 million tons of coal and copper annually. It will connect southern African countries and has the potential to increase freight volumes to 56 million tons per year by its 30th year.
- Afrail Express:
- Construction Start: May 2024
- Description: A high-speed passenger rail system connecting Cape Town, South Africa, to Casablanca, Morocco, and further to Cairo, Egypt, creating an extensive rail network across the continent. The project, costing $90 billion, is expected to generate over 50 million job opportunities and contribute over five trillion dollars to the African GDP.
- Ethiopia-Sudan Railway:
- Bilateral Agreements Completed: June 2022
- Description: Joint development of a railway line linking Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Khartoum, Sudan, and extending to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, reducing Ethiopia’s dependence on the Port of Djibouti. The estimated distance is 1,522km with a cost of $3.4 million.
- SADC Trade and Transit Facilitation Project:
- Planned Completion: December 2026
- Description: Set to facilitate the movement of goods and people along the Angolan North-South Corridor of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), this project aims to improve trade and transportation on major corridors in southern Africa. It is expected to enhance sanitation services and strengthen the economic capacities of local communities.
These railway projects play a crucial role in supporting Africa’s economic growth and improving connectivity across the continent.
