Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 41:2024
Railways Africa Magazine
Railways Africa™ is the Authoritative Magazine for the rail industry in Africa
First Train of Phase II for Dakar’s Regional Express Train Project Arrives
On Friday, October 11, 2024, the first train of Phase II of the Regional Express Train (TER) project was officially received at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. This delivery marks a key milestone for Phase II of the project, which will extend the TER line from Dakar to Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD).
Exploring Intermodal Solutions, Rail Infrastructure, and Public-Private Partnerships – Insights from the African Development Bank Forum
The African Development Bank Group Transport Forum 2024, held in Abidjan from 18 to 20 September, gathered African transport ministers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing transport efficiency through intermodal solutions. Key topics included seamless multimodal systems, balancing road and rail infrastructure, and private sector participation. Speakers included Stephen Wakasenza ( Uganda Railways Corporation ), Hulisani Makhuvha ( Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) ), Ronnie Ntuli ( Thelo Group ), Fatima Lasiri ( Groupe ONCF Morocco ), Simplice Essoh (SITARAIL), and Johny Smith ( Grindrod Rail).
Zambia Officially Becomes the 7th Member State of the Central Corridor
The Republic of Zambia has officially became the seventh member state of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), the meeting included the physical participation of the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with virtual attendance by other Member States. This crucial development occurred during the CCTTFA extraordinary Council of Ministers Meeting, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s mission to strengthen economic activities along the corridor by simplifying customs procedures, which include reduced transit times, and lower transportation costs.
The Treasure Map to Wealth from Africa's Transport Sector: A Rail Perspective
Guest Column by Dr. Lubinda Sakanga
It is always interesting to learn how railway sector projects are being financed and implemented in Africa. In engineering field projects, one always wants to appreciate the ‘safety by design’ and sustainability capacity aspects. From a finance perspective, it is the bankability niche which closed the deal whilst, from a development perspective, it is the strategic aim and impact of the project from which lessons may be drawn. Naivety to all would be to ignore the interests of political players and just but, to consider the earlier alluded to interests of the private and public sector actors.
TRANSNOMICS is a philosophy advocating for socio-economic development via transport sector economic regulation. Effective consideration and management of rail sector investment is an integral aspect of transport sector economic regulation. For ‘the Africa we want’, the investment perspective or driver of the investment project becomes the determining factor for considering all stakeholder interests.
Tanzania Railways Corporation - Rail Cold Chain Program
Tanzania Railways Corporation has launched the Rail Cold Chain Program, which is part of the country’s strategy to increase cargo transportation along the Central Corridor. The program focuses on the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, such as perishable food items, by rail. This initiative is expected to boost the efficiency and sustainability of Tanzania’s logistics network and reduce reliance on road transport. As the program develops, Tanzania anticipates a significant increase in the volume of cargo transported by rail, contributing to the country’s economic growth and infrastructure development.
Contract Awards – Namibia
The Government of the Republic of Namibia and the African Development Bank have announced that the successful bidder for the supply of 48kg/M rails and turnouts for the upgrade of the railway line between Kranzberg and Otjiwarongo – TIIP Phase II, Section 1: Full Upgrade of the Railway Line between Kranzberg and Otjiwarongo Stations, has been awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.
The contract is expected to start on 21 October and will take approximately 126 weeks to complete. A total of four bidders participated in the bidding process.
Limpopo and Gauteng Governments Continue Plans On The High-Speed Rail Link
The Limpopo and Gauteng Provincial Governments, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, convened a strategic meeting to advance plans for the proposed high-speed rail network linking Limpopo and Gauteng. The meeting took place at the Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, on 09 October 2024.
Nigeria: As A New Railway Dawn Beckons
” And in the shadowless unclouded glare,
Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where,
A misty sealine meets the wash of air .”
The immortal words of Sir John Betjeman, poet and Victorian architectural heritage campaigner, born in 1906, died in 1984, who saved the gorgeous St Pancras station from demolition in the 1960s. His statue stands majestic on the first floor of the station concourse beside the platforms for Eurostar aka HS1 and some of St Pancras’ finest restaurants and swanky watering holes.
Liberia President Signs Order Establishing the National Railway Authority (NRA)
President Boakai Signs Executive Order #136 Establishing the National Railway Authority (NRA)
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued Executive Order No. 136, extending the provisions of Executive Order No. 112 and reaffirming the Government of Liberia’s commitment to the development and enhancement of the country’s rail infrastructure.
HPX Congratulates President Boakai for Establishing the Liberian National Railway Authority (NRA)
HPX congratulates President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. on the release of Executive Order no. 136 (dated 10 October 2024) establishing the National Railway Authority. This order confirms Liberia’s commitment to ensuring its nationally owned rail infrastructure is accessible to multiple users, overseen by a qualified manager and on a user pay system.
Nigerian Railways Certifies Lagos Rail Systems and Grants Operational Licenses for Blue and Red Lines
According to a recent announcement by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the Lagos State Government has achieved a significant milestone in Nigerian railway transportation. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has officially certified and issued operational licences for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue and Red Lines, marking a key step towards enhancing urban rail services in the region.
Morocco: EIB and ONCF Sign Technical Assistance Arrangement To Adapt Railways To Climate Change
On 9 October, the European Investment Bank (EIB) (EIB) and Morocco’s national railway operator, the ONCF office national des chemins de fer (ONCF), signed a technical assistance partnership agreement to create a climate resilience and adaptation strategy for the Moroccan rail network.
Smart Solutions Secures PRASA Infrastructure
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa ( PRASA Group ) has employed a number of smart solutions to secure its infrastructure with a goal of returning to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 600 million annual passengers.
Burkina Faso Operations Update
Unhedged gold mining company West African Resources Limited (‘WAF’, ASX: WAF) advises that, on Saturday 5th October 2024, the President of Burkina Faso, President Traore spoke on Radio Burkina to commemorate two years in power. He spoke about several topics including tackling corruption, security, transport, agriculture, and mining. Importantly, he spoke about the significant progress that has been made in regaining territory lost to terrorist groups in the north and east of Burkina Faso, and he sees further progress by the end of 2025.
Fund For Export Development In Africa (FEDA) And Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Power ARISE IIP’s US$443 Million Capital Raise
The funding includes a strategic US$300 million investment from Afreximbank’s development impact investment arm, The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), securing Afreximbank’s FEDA a significant stake in ARISE IIP. Additionally, the capital raise is supported by an additional US$143 million contribution from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). This investment builds on a debt funding relationship of over 12 years between ARISE IIP and Afreximbank, during which about US$2 billion has been provided to support ARISE IIP’s investments across Africa.
Kenya's Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Unveils Seven Nairobi Commuter Rail Stations on the Nairobi-Ruiru Route
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, EGH has unveiled 7 Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) Service stations along the Nairobi-Ruiru route.
The commissioned stations: Ruiru, Kenyatta University, Kahawa West, Githurai, Mwiki, Dandora, and Mutindwa are a part of the 32 new stations the government will commission to boost the capacity of commuters within the Nairobi metropolis.
Transnet Academy Partners with the Universities of Pretoria and Cape Town
The Transnet Academy has concluded a five-year partnership agreement with the Universities of Pretoria and Cape Town. The move will assist Transnet with enhanced technical capacity, reliable safety standards and superior customer service delivery. The agreement, which underscores Transnet’s commitment to skills development to improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness, aligns with the Transnet Academy’s objective of improving the development and training levels of South Africans and creating long-term socio-economic growth and prosperity.
Kenya Railways Takes Over Mv Uhuru II
In a significant move that will bolster regional trade and economic development Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hon. Soipan Tuya, alongside Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir, officially handed over the MV Uhuru II to the Kenya Railways (KRC) at the Kisumu Shipyard on September 19, 2024.
Solution for Truck Bookings at Durban's Container Terminals Proves Successful
A month-long collaborative pilot with transporters has seen the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 improve its truck turnaround time by 24%. The new truck booking solution to manage the flow of trucks into the terminal will remain to improve and sustain the availability of slots at the terminal.
Transport Economic Regulation + Operations Management Expert
2moVery informative💯