Rail Infrastructure: “The Locomotive Driving Africa's Economic Transformation Over the Next Decade”

Railways Africa Magazine

In this Coffee with the Editor by Railways Africa, filmed during the 8th Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (#PIDAWeek2024), Ibrah Wahabou, Head of Infrastructure and Transport Unit at AUDA-NEPAD, shares critical insights into Africa's transformative railway projects and their role in driving sustainable development under Agenda 2063.

Our conversation covers progress on key rail initiatives, including the Uvinza-Musongati SGR between Tanzania and Burundi, the transformative LAPSSET Corridor connecting Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, and the Abidjan-Lagos and Dakar-Bamako-Djibouti Corridors in West Africa. Ibrah highlights the importance of integrating ICT, renewable energy, and community impact into rail infrastructure to create holistic, sustainable, inclusive and interconnected transport systems.

He also addresses the low private sector participation in PIDA projects and shares AUDA-NEPAD's strategies for enhancing bankability and broadening partnerships to accelerate project financing and implementation.

Don’t miss this discussion on how rail infrastructure is set to become the backbone of Africa's economic transformation and regional integration.

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