Ethiopia leads African Union’s drive for continental railway connectivity
Regional economic groups, including ECOWAS, IGAD, and SADC, are also playing a crucial role in advancing Africa’s railway connectivity.
The African Union (AU) is spearheading a continent-wide railway strategy designed to connect African nations and boost regional integration, with Ethiopia emerging as a leading example of rapid and sustainable railway development.
AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, highlighted Ethiopia’s progress as a model for other African countries in developing efficient and eco-friendly rail systems.
More To Read
- EAC’s future at stake as AU flags uneven progress, weak governance
- Top 10 largest African economies in 2025 by Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Passenger train derails in eastern Ethiopia, leaving 14 dead and many hurt
- Ex-President of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Grand Mufti Haji Umar Idris, is dead
- Non-Aligned Movement ministers renew call for multilateralism at Uganda meeting
- Can the AU prevent coups like Madagascar's?
"The African Union is fully dedicated to building infrastructure across Africa. Our main goal is to create connections between different countries and member nations to support our integration efforts," Mataboge said, emphasising how important railways are for transporting goods and people efficiently.
To ensure the success of these projects, the AU is working with African funding institutions, including the African Development Bank, and other financial partners to support planning and implementation. This strategy aims to make railway projects financially viable, attracting long-term investments from both African and international stakeholders.
The Commissioner explained that the AU collaborates closely with project leaders and governments to help them secure funding and attract investors.
“We collaborate with project leaders and governments to help them find funding and attract investors for these developments,” she said, noting that this approach is intended to create sustainable projects that can drive long-term economic growth.
Regional economic groups, including ECOWAS, IGAD, and SADC, are also playing a crucial role in advancing Africa’s railway connectivity. Their work in promoting peace and economic collaboration is essential for unifying the continent, Mataboge explained.
South Africa is contributing as a centre for training railway technicians and engineers, and the AU plans to establish additional training centres across Africa to cover the entire railway development process.
Mataboge praised Ethiopia’s efforts through the Ethiopian Railway Corporation, particularly improvements to key corridors connecting neighbouring countries like Djibouti, one of Africa’s busiest trade ports.
“We applaud the Ethiopian Railway Corporation for their significant efforts, especially in enhancing the corridor that connects to neighbouring countries like Djibouti and making sure our integration goals are being realised in real time,” she said.
For the African Union, developing railway infrastructure represents more than just transport improvements; it is a pathway to greater unity, economic growth, and shared prosperity across the continent.
Ethiopia’s example demonstrates how coordinated planning, investment, and regional collaboration can bring the AU’s vision of a connected Africa closer to reality.
Top Stories Today
