Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 08:2024

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“We have invested in new rail infrastructure and new trains that are produced here in South Africa. These trains are being built in Ekurhuleni and are being rolled out throughout the country. We will soon be exporting the same trains to many other countries on our continent. This investment is making a huge difference in the lives of the people who rely on public transport, while developing the manufacturing capacity that will enable the growth of our train exports.”

Namibia: Upgrade of the Railway Line between Kranzberg and Otjiwarongo

The African Development Bank, in collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Finance, has allocated funds for the upgrade of the railway line between Kranzberg and Otjiwarongo. The Ministry of Works and Transport, intends to apply part of the proceeds toward the procurement of 48kg/m rails and turnouts for the line.

The Ministry is now calling for sealed bids from eligible bidders. The bidding process adheres to the Open Competitive Bidding (International) (OCBI) method. If you are a premium subscriber, you can go to our opportunities section for more information.

Zimbabwe: Fatal Train Accident

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) announced on 20 February 2024, that a fatal train accident occurred between Mutare and Machipanda around 2100hrs on Monday, 19 February 2024.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the locomotive, pulling 14 wagons laden with nine (9) export chrome concentrates and five (5) granite blocks, may have suffered brake failure. This led to a runaway situation, culminating in the train’s failure to negotiate a sharp curve and subsequently falling into a gorge. Sadly, three (3) NRZ employees lost their lives in the incident.

Investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

The Railways Africa Magazine team extends our condolences to the families of the deceased and the NRZ team during this difficult time.

Nigeria’s Red Line Rail Project

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the inauguration of the long-awaited Red Line rail project, scheduled for February 29, by President Bola Tinubu. This statement was made during the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) Stakeholders Forum in Ikeja, highlighting the project’s alignment with the state’s THEMES+ Developmental Agenda for integrated mass transit solutions. The Red Line, extending from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, is part of efforts to address traffic challenges, including tackling indiscriminate parking through the Lagos State Parking Policy.

Potential Extension Of Edea-Kribi-Kampo Railway Project To Equatorial Guinea

On February 5, 2024, a pivotal meeting took place between the Minister of Transport of Cameroon, Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, and the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Cameroon, H.E. Armando Kote Echuaga. This gathering, characterized both as a courtesy and a working visit, aimed at deepening the transport sector cooperation between the neighbouring countries.

A key focus of the discussions was on the railway sector, where the Director of Railway Transport in Cameroon proposed the extension of the ongoing Edea-Kribi-Kampo railway project to Equatorial Guinea. This initiative highlights a strategic approach to regional transport infrastructure development, aiming to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth between the two nations.

Traxtion Driving Rail Innovation and Expansion in Africa

In this “Coffee with the Editor,” James Holley, CEO of Traxtion, discusses the company’s ambitious expansion plans and strategic initiatives within the dynamic context of railway operations in South Africa and the broader African continent. James shares insights into the extensive refurbishment and modernisation of an additional 20 locomotives at the Rosslyn workshops, highlighting the process of weight reduction to facilitate broader deployment across various terrains and the implementation of modern control systems. He also provides an update on the rebuild of the last Afro4000 locomotive, set to re-enter service by mid-year.

With the fleet now expanded to 60 locomotives spread across eight African countries, James emphasises Traxtion’s commitment to operational efficiency. This includes enhancing maintenance processes and inventory management across their service locations. He highlights their digitalisation journey, which has significantly reduced paper usage and improved real-time data accessibility for decision-making. Additionally, plans are in place to expand the capacity at the Rosslyn workshops, including upgrading their parts stores and creating more space for locomotive refurbishment and repairs. This move is aimed at accommodating the growing demand for their services and enhancing operational capabilities.

James highlights the difficulties surrounding insuring rolling stock, noting some of the measures that have been put in place, such as the implementation of speed control, data loggers and digitised vigilance systems, to mitigate their operational risks.

Our conversation also covers the changing landscape of rail operations in Africa, with a focus on policy reforms, open access, and the role of private operators. James notes recent policy changes in several countries that are opening up the market for private rail operators, which is a significant shift towards improving regional trade and the efficiency of rail services.

A strong message came through that there is certainly a rail boom coming!